Talk-More: Insights from a Focus Group on a New Device to Encourage Speech Recovery, 2024

Communication difficulties following brain injury, such as stroke, can lead to social isolation and reduced opportunities for speech practice, which is vital for recovery. People with speech impairments often experience embarrassment and reduced confidence, leading to withdrawal from social interaction and worsening outcomes in both mental and physical health. Inspired by feedback from stroke survivors and drawing on principles used in physical activity tracking, we developed Talk-More, a wearable device that monitors speech activity without recording content, aiming to motivate increased speaking time and support speech rehabilitation. In collaboration with engineers at the University of Manchester, we developed a prototype and conducted a focus group with individuals with lived experience of speech impairment and caregivers. Qualitative data from this group was anonymised and thematically analysed. Key themes included perceived usefulness of the device for self-motivation, concerns about comfort and discretion, and enthusiasm about its potential to reduce isolation. These insights are informing further development and user-centred design refinements of the device.

The collection includes the qualitative data retrieved from this focus group of people with lived experience or experience of caring for someone with speech impairment after brain injury or neurological disease.