New DynaVox device gives voice to those with difficulty speaking
Pittsburgh Business Times - by Jennifer Curry
When Henry Evans had a stroke in 2002 and lost the ability to speak, he suddenly found it nearly impossible to communicate with his four children.
It wasn't until six months ago, when he started using a test version of DynaVox Technologies' newest product, that he was able to, for example, tell his kids what not to do.
"I can express myself without needing the assistance of another person," Evans, who lives in Los Altos, Calif., said via e-mail. "It allows me to express my personality."
South Side-based DynaVox last week released DynaVox V, the latest version of its main product, which is purchased by schools and speech language pathologists.
The new device is designed to give a voice to those like Evans who can't speak. Set up as a computer, users, including stroke victims, the autistic or those with Down syndrome, are able to select buttons or type in words to get the computer to "speak" for them.
The new version includes Internet access for the first time. In addition, pages can be customized. A young child, for instance, might have many visual symbols of simple phrases while an older user might have options that help them communicate about more complex topics ranging from politics to the Steelers.
"A lot of the device is about getting there faster because it's right on the page I need," said Joe Swenson, president and CEO of DynaVox, which will start shipping the new product next week.
The new product is one of about 10 the company sells, and it represents about 80 percent of total revenue. The company, which does not disclose revenue figures, expects to grow by about 20 percent in its North American market over the next year.
"I think we will win market share because of it (the new product)," Swenson said. "More importantly, it will help open doors."
About 60,000 people use a version of DynaVox currently, according to Swenson.
Clare Bonnell, executive director of the Toronto-based International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, said DynaVox's product is useful for people who are suffering from strokes, brain injuries and neurological conditions.
Diane Paul, director of clinical issues in speech-language pathology with the Rockville, Md.-based American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, said people want devices that sound more natural.
"Anything that would provide people who have severe communication disabilities with more options and ways to communicate effectively is welcomed into the marketplace," Paul said.
jcurry@bizjournals.com | (412) 208-3820
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