How to Use the Emego Assistive Switch with the Forearm Muscle

We’ve just uploaded a new video! The first in a series of ‘How to Use the Emego With…’ explores how to quickly setup the Emego without any need for software on the forearm.

In the video, Jack will take you through the simple steps to getting the Emego to detect muscle signals from the tendon connected to the ring finger. Simply twitching this finger will activate the switch as the Emego cleverly picks up electrical signals.

Take a look at the video here:

Here is a step by step guide to help with placement on the forearm:

  1. Ensure both the base unit and the patient unit are turned on.
  2. Place patient unit in the preferred holster (the video above uses the hook and loop strap as an example).
  3. Place the patient unit on the desired muscle, in this case, the forearm. Ensure the two square sensors are flat to the skin and in good contact.
  4. You can test out where the best muscle placement for the user might be here. In the video, you will see the Emego is placed just above the elbow on the forearm. It is aligned with the tendon connected to the ring finger.
  5. On the base unit, turn on the audio mode by pressing the audio button 3 times until the bell symbol lights up.
  6. Press number 1 on the base unit to go back into the patient unit mode. If you do not do this step and press the plus and minus you will adjust the audio volume of the beep setting.
  7. Once you have completed point 6. Hold down the minus button on the base unit until you hear a constant beep. This will indicate that you have adjusted the Emego to its most sensitive level.
  8. Now incrementally press the plus button on the base unit until the constant beep sound goes silent (you will still hear a beep when the muscle is activated). As to how many times you press it, this will depend on the user’s muscle control. You may find that you don’t need to press it too many times for smaller movements.
  9. The base unit can now be plugged in via USB connection or the 3.5mm input to be used with AAC software or environmental control.

Thank you for checking out this blog, we look forward to sharing the next video with you! Please get in touch should you have any further questions or would like a demonstration.