anyone got any advice or recommendation relating to Eye gaze systems

[Chi Man Frank]

My nephews eye gaze system has to be recalibrated all the time sometime 5-6 times per conversation and I was wonder if any of you have any input or recommendations for particular systems?

[Ellie]

Chi Man Frank Something's not right there Frank - what system is your nephew using? Is it a case that he has trouble keeping his head upright/in position or more of a hardware issue do you think?

My Tobii eye tracker hardly ever needs recalibrating. xx

[Chi Man Frank]

Thanks Ellie, He does have those issues and in the last week he cant support his neck so can sit up even with a brace on so currently cannot communicate at all has has to lie down it also means he needs changes done to his wheelchair or a different one. He is due to have another assessment next week with his care team and I hope some of this can be addressed.

[Ellie]

Has he an OT or Physiotherapist to give him a neck support which will actually work for him? What type of brace is he currently struggling with?

It's not the 'fault' of the eye tracker per se but, if he cannot find a suitable brace to hold his head up so his eyes can be seen by the IR cameras, he should get the AAC people back and get an alternative access system, breath, switches etc, a head tracker probably wouldn't be suitable either.

Without my neck brace, my head just looks at my belly button 😬 I need it on to use my laptop.

Short term, can he use it propped up in bed or has he a riser relining armchair so he can recline and use a mounted system?

Hope he gets sorted out asap. xx

[John D]

Ellie Bit off topic but what neck brace are you using Ellie? My neck muscles have weakened and I am using Headmasters which is not very comfortable and searching for something better.

[Ellie]

John D I've been through a lot of braces John, including the Headmaster, and currently use an Ortel C3 rigid collar, which I find pretty good and, although my OT gave it to me, it's cheap enough that I bought a spare (under £25)

It suits me because it has a chin rest to take the weight of my head and, because my head is supported by the chin rest, the actual collar need not be that tight, which makes a difference with swallowing and breathing issues, plus, it is height adjustable. I do need to protect my clavicles though as, similar to the Headmaster, the collar can sometimes rub against bone, but this collar has reduced my neck, back and shoulder pain significantly.

Photo (although I wear clothes with my collar 😉)
Ortel C3.jpg
I've had an Aspen, Sheffield Snood-HeadUp, Headmaster and a few rigid cervical collars without the chin rest.

Good luck in finding a suitable collar. xx