Table 3.
Subjects’ Responses to Self-Report Questions
| Subject | Weeks After Device Fitting | Activities Performed, Objects Seen, and Comments Made |
|---|---|---|
| S1 | 17 | More energetic, happy, and positive |
| Increased motivation | ||
| Not bumping into things like trees* (Week 32) | ||
| 20 | Increased confidence | |
| 32 | Identifying traffic lights, cars, people, trees, and poles on the street | |
| Increased independence | ||
| 44 | Identifying wood and machines in woodwork class | |
| Identifying car on driveway | ||
| Does not need assistance to travel to the supermarket | ||
| Identifying people in woodwork class* (Week 56) | ||
| 56 | “Like another cane” | |
| Lining up with pole on road crossing | ||
| Identifying hammer in woodwork class | ||
| 68 | Less help/assistance when going on walks in the park | |
| Explore shopping center/hardware store | ||
| Flashes of objects are better when it is sunny | ||
| Finding traffic lights/trees/poles/cars | ||
| 110 | Identifying rubbish bin | |
| Identifying trees and poles on street | ||
| Finding letterbox outside | ||
| S2 | 17 | Doors in train show up brighter |
| Less need for shore-lining with cane in shopping centers | ||
| 20 | Identifying doorways at train station | |
| Confusion with shadows | ||
| Able to see some shop fronts and seats | ||
| 32 | Identify trees, poles, lamp posts | |
| ‘Flashes’ when nothing is there | ||
| Can locate things on tables in cafes | ||
| Navigating past photocopier, cash register, and café at work* (week 44, week 56) | ||
| 44 | Used it to supplement information in the theatre (foyer and scanning the crowd) | |
| Located bins, parked cars* (week 68) | ||
| Increased awareness of the space | ||
| Increased confidence | ||
| 56 | Confirming information in familiar environments | |
| Uses device inside to locate items on table | ||
| Uses at theatre to get a feel for surrounding space | ||
| 68 | Identify people moving in the foyer | |
| Filling in gaps with familiar information | ||
| 109 | Adds to information provided by cane | |
| Uses cane to confirm what the “flashes” are | ||
| Device more effective on tabletop | ||
| S3 | 17 | Avoiding contact with clothesline in backyard |
| Finding clothesline pegs | ||
| Finding bus stop | ||
| 20 | Different to usual trying to find phosphenes | |
| 32 | Identifying face in mirror | |
| Locating spouse in café | ||
| Avoiding walking into doorways at home* (week 44) | ||
| Walking around the house more confidently – not swerving and more confident in movement* (week 68) | ||
| Increased tendency to explore new environments* (week 56) | ||
| Confidence improved* (week 80) | ||
| 44 | Identified clutter at friend's place | |
| 56 | More confidence | |
| Identifying when someone leaves a chair from a sitting position | ||
| 68 | Identifying letterbox | |
| Using device concurrently with tactile sensation inside | ||
| Awareness of trees outside | ||
| Less asking around to know where they are in an unfamiliar environment | ||
| Increased shadow detection | ||
| 80 | Making eye contact with students in classroom | |
| Getting an idea of classroom size | ||
| Able to do beachfront walk | ||
| Familiarity overrides device | ||
| Device enhances current knowledge | ||
| 92 | Identifying people walking across train station | |
| Locate car in driveway at home inside | ||
| 136 | Identified and picked up a card on the floor of home | |
| S4 | 17 | Increased motivation |
| 20 | Detecting poles and signage on the street | |
| Differentiate nature strip (verge) from the park inside | ||
| Identifying door/light objects/desk items |
*
Indicates comments made at multiple time points. Later time points are indicated in parentheses.