Characterization of Speech from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis by Neuromorphic Processing

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a severe disease, which dramatically reduces the speech communication skills of patients as disease progresses. The present study is devoted to define accurate and objective estimates to characterize the loss of communication skills, to help clinicians and therapists in monitoring disease progression and in deciding on rehabilitation interventions. The methodology proposed is based on the perceptual (neuromorphic) definition of speech dynamics, concentrated in vowel sounds in character and duration. We present the results from a longitudinal study carried out in an ALS patient during one year. Discussion addresses future actions.