ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Over 5,500 new cases of the disease are diagnosed every year in the US alone. With Tobii Assistive Technology, ALS patients' communication can be eased and supported.

Early symptoms can include tripping, dropping things, fatigue and a general feeling of weakness and stiffness. As the disease progresses, the muscles of the limbs and trunk get weaker and begin to waste, leading to paralysis.

As a result of muscle wastage, affected individuals gradually lose the ability to make voluntary movements, which greatly affects their independence and ability to communicate. Even though users in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed, in most cases their minds remain sharp and alert.

Tobii has developed a full and flexible range of Augmentative and Alternative Communications (AAC) solutions that help those affected by ALS to regain and retain their independence at every stage of the condition. Our Tobii Assistive Technology devices and solutions can help with everything from controlling the TV and DVD player to communicating via phone, e-mail, online shopping and surfing the web.

Should the progression of ALS impair a person’s ability to speak the Tobii Assistive Technology devices such as Tobii PCEye, Tobii C15, Tobii C12 or MyTobii P10 with Tobii's CEye eye control module can provide them with a voice, allowing them to communicate with family, friends and doctors to ensure that they can express themselves and get answers to their questions. A portable Tobii eye-controlled  Assistive Technology device that runs on both mains power and batteries, its combination of flexibility and accuracy gives users a powerful tool to keep them in touch with their world.