amplifier for abductor type s.d.
  Archive
Posted by: diane summers ®

10/17/2002, 22:40:46
Author Profile Mail author

I am new at this bulletin board and really don't understand how to use it yet. I would like to find other females whose voices have been affected by S.D. (ABDuctor type) What amplifiers work which are small and discreet? Thank you, Diane from PA






| Recommend | Alert   Previous | Next | Current page
Replies to this message


Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d.
Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d. -- diane summers Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: fancynancy ®

10/18/2002, 13:35:13
Author Profile Mail author

Hi Diane, and welcome to the BB! There are several of us gals here with AB SD. May take a little time for them to post.

I've had my AB SD for about 11 1/2 years now. I've never used an amplifier, just learned to manipulate my voice somewhat to talk louder. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't (lol). If you do a Search on this BB you'll find all kinds of useful tips. I've heard of amplifiers being used, I've just never tried it.







| Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Message Top of Thread Previous | Next | Current page
Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d.
Re: Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d. -- fancynancy Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: Sarah Bayle ®

10/18/2002, 17:26:57
Author Profile Mail author

diane; I also have AB/AD and have recently purchased an amplifier. I think the thing to remember with amplification is that it is a fairly simple science and does work! It will amplify your voice. I think what many of us are looking for is for the amplification to beautify our voice: which NO amplifier will.

And, the other little thing I learned about amplification is that the size of the system is a direct correlate to the amount of amplification you need. In other words, a small system will provide less amp than a larger system.

I have barely had the nerve to use my amplifier. It sits in my home, waiting for me to gather the guts....

Sarah







| Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Message Top of Thread Previous |   | Current page
Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d.
Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d. -- diane summers Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: vici forsyth ®

10/18/2002, 20:19:01
Author Profile Mail author

Diane, I have ABSD but have not used an amplifier yet. It just takes the voice you have and makes it louder, so if you have breaks and/or a tremor as I do, it will amplify these also. If low volume is your main problem I'd give it a try. Good luck! Vici ABSD Illinois






| Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Message Top of Thread Previous | Next | Current page
Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d.
Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d. -- diane summers Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: William Vanderlinde ®

10/18/2002, 22:47:21
Author Profile Mail author

Diane,

Since none of the ladies who posted have used a voice amplifier very much, I'll chip in. I think the smallest and most discreet voice amplifer would probably be a Chattervox with a collar mike. The Chattervox looks a bit like a fanny-pack and it belts around your middle. You can buy it through Luminaud or other places on the internet. The collar mike is a device that attaches to your collar so there is just a wire that comes up towards your mouth. This is a lot less obtrusive than a headset type of mike, the only problem is it doesn't move when you turn your head so you have to be careful to speak into it. Linda Adamson often wears this type of amplifier. I'm surprised she hasn't posted on this yet, but maybe she is away at the moment.

I actually have worn a headset mike in public and people will sometimes look at me, but most of them seem to think it is part of a cell phone or something like that. The amplification is a big help especially in places like restaurants where there is a lot of background noise.

There have been a number of other discussion threads about amplifiers on the BB, most recently the one started by Anne Morris on October 9th:

http://www.dystonia-bb.org/forums/sd/posts/10377.html

Best,

Bill Vanderlinde

AB/SD

Columbia, Maryland







| Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Message Top of Thread Previous | Next | Current page
Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d.
Re: Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d. -- William Vanderlinde Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: Linda S. Adamson ®

10/20/2002, 20:11:18
Author Profile Mail author

Thanks, Bill, for jumping in for me (and others) who do get good value out of the amplifier/mic from Chattervox. I use mine almost daily (except for the few weeks when the right Botox dosage & timing got me a near-normal voice). Whether I am having lots of spasms and "blanks" in my voice or not, it helps reduce the strain it takes me to make myself heard. To me (at this point), the biggest negative impact I have felt from my AB SD is the fatigue that comes from straining to push out enough air to talk. When my voice is the pits and I don't have my mic, I am absolutely flat by the end of the day, and get very sore muscles across the top/back of my shoulders.

I do know that a lot of folks haven't started using a wearable mic/amplifier because it does make our invisible disability very visible. I have people ask me about it all the time. I decided that (a) in fact, I AM disabled, and (b) wearing the amplifier/mic gives me tons of opportunities to educate others, in minute doses, about the existence of our family of disorders and its impact on people's lives.

In fact, this equipment really isn't all that conspicuous (if you dress thoughtfully), so you won't stand out as much as you feel you will.

There are other manufacturers around, and I'm sure newer and better products will be developed all the time.

Best of luck in your search for what is right for you.

Linda Adamson

AB SD, Annapolis MD







| Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Message Top of Thread Previous | Next | Current page
Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d.
Re: Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d. -- Linda S. Adamson Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: Katrina Lantz ®

10/20/2002, 22:01:46
Author Profile Mail author

I haven't read the posts lately so I missed the October 9th discussion about microphones/amplifiers and being the kind of woman I am I have to get my 2 cents in. I bought a Chattervox with the head set about a year and a half ago. I am a teacher and use it daily sometimes I use it at meetings at school. I've used it once at a district meeting. Someone abouta year ago posted on the board about a similar device that Radio Shack sells for $30.00. I haven't bought it but it looks a lot like the Chattervox with the fanny pack. I am on my second headset so when this one dies I may get the Radio Shack version becuase the headsets are expensive to replace.

Also, earlier in October someone posted about amplified telephones. I was able to get a phone for free from my state through hearing and speech organization. It is a desk set which I don't like that much so may check out the one mentioned earlier in October. It took me a year to get the phone because when I first called they weren't doing phones but were working on it. I called a year later and had success. I needed a doctor's note and signed some papers-had my phone about 10 days later. Hope this isn't too redundant. BTW- I get Botox injections and have had success with them.

Katrina AB/Tucson







| Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Message Top of Thread Previous | Next | Current page
Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d.
Re: Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d. -- Katrina Lantz Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: Lib Haywood ®

10/21/2002, 07:40:27
Author Profile Mail author

Our support group leader, Mary Bifaro, has AB/SD. She is using one of the amplifiers from Radio Shack which cost less than $50 to conduct our support group meetings. I don't know if she uses it other places or not but it is an inexpensive way to try one. A rehab lady brought one to our support group and it cost about $5000. I vote for the Radio Shack one.






| Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Message Top of Thread Previous | Next | Current page
Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d.
Re: Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d. -- Lib Haywood Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: vici forsyth ®

10/31/2002, 07:36:26
Author Profile Mail author

I decided to give an amplifier a try again. When I was in speech therapy a year ago the speech pathologist had me try one but it was magnifying my breaks and tremor so much that it really wasn't helping me to be more audible.

On Monday I purchased the inexpensive one from Radio Shack. It works fine for what it's intended--to amplify a "normal" voice (my husband tried it). However when I use it, I have to turn the volume clear up to pick up my whisper. Then it amplifies my breathing and everything else. My husband didn't think it helped him to hear me any better. Guess I'll just keep whispering in his ear. He doesn't mind that. (Smiles)

Vici ABSD Illinois







| Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Message Top of Thread Previous | Next | Current page
Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d.
Re: Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d. -- vici forsyth Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: john s. beeman ®

10/31/2002, 08:07:03
Author Profile Mail author
I cannot honestly say that the Chattervox would do any better, but if you purchase, they will take it back in 60 days. Pretty fair offer if you'd like to try it. Also, they sell a mike that lays against your throat. This is, as I understand it, for people who make "no" sound. I bought mine from Bruce Medical Supply. You can order via the net or via an 800 number.

John

--modified by john s. beeman at Thu, Oct 31, 2002, 08:09:52







| Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Message Top of Thread Previous |   | Current page
Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d.
Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d. -- diane summers Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: Linda Spain ®

10/29/2002, 18:22:26
Author Profile Mail author
Diane:

I'm new to this bulletin board, too, but I'm not new to amplifiers. I've tried every one I could find and the ChatterVox has been the clear winner. Most importantly, it provides the clearest output for the listener (with any amplifier, a lip line mic to the side of the mouth will work best for a weak, breathy voice). Another big plus is about 14 hours of operation on an overnight charge.

Also, after reading all the responses you received, please allow me to ask you and others not to be worried about appearance when using an amplifier. SD is nothing to be embarrassed about or ashamed of.

Best regards and best wishes for your comfort,

Linda

--modified by Linda Spain at Wed, Oct 30, 2002, 09:44:17







| Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Message Top of Thread Previous | Next | Current page
Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d.
Re: amplifier for abductor type s.d. -- diane summers Top of Thread Archive
Posted by: john s. beeman ®

10/29/2002, 20:13:39
Author Profile Mail author

Diane:

I'm sort of an unusual case. I had AD/SD. I had the Berke surgery at UCLA. I did not recover my voice. I now have a breathy voice - when I try to project - especially. I just bought the Chattervox ($165.00). I compared it to the RadioShack model. While both look the same (Chattervox is green; RadioShack is black), there are big differences. The Chattervox has a rechargeable battery system. You just plug the "fanny pack" into the charger. The RadioShack model uses several AA batteries. You can also attach it to a 9V unit. It does not appear to be rechargeable. I suppose you could use rechargeable batteries, but it appeared to me you'd have to remove the batteries from the pack and recharge.

The mike that came with the Chattervox is good, but difficult to get use to wearing. I actually bought a lapel mike from RadioShack and I hold it up to my mouth. It won't work if clipped to my lapel. I have seen a "pen" mike, too.

I am having problems getting used to wearing it. I feel pretty stupid. I just need to work on it.

There are several other models - some smaller - available, but I did not try them. I can send you more information - provided by others on this BBS, if you want it. John







| Recommend | Alert Where am I? Original Message Top of Thread Previous |   | Current page