Multiple voices, multiple choices: Older adults’ evaluation of speech output to support independent living

Interactive Domestic Alarm Systems (IDAS) are currently being designed to support older adults with independent living. Uptake and continued use of an IDAS will likely depend on successful interactions between the older adult and the system. Thus, suitable modes of system output must be identified to facilitate IDAS-User interactions. This paper considers the use of speech as a mode of IDAS output and reports design recommendations arising from an experimental investigation into older adults’ subjective evaluations of speech. Methodological reflections consider the suitability of employing an experimental methodology with an ageing user group.