Talking Meters
What’s New?

Coding: Needs to be coded for each container of strips. This can be accomplished nonvisually using a code card included with the strips or visually by pressing buttons.

Size of blood drop: 0.5 microliters.

Placement of blood drop: The strip pulls in the blood drop through a tiny opening that is easy to locate at the end of the strip. However, for a user who has very low or no vision, remembering where the blood drop is on the finger and applying it to the strip can be difficult. (See “Placing Blood Accurately on the Strip” for more details.)

Time results to appear: 5 seconds.

Results: The meter reads the result clearly, and the result can be repeated if necessary.

Meter’s memory size: 500 readings with dates and times.

Memory accessibility: The memory is fully accessible through the speech function.

Computer interface: The data from the meter can be uploaded to a computer using an infrared adapter and program available from the distributor.

Just released or coming soon

Roche Diagnostics has a new talking Accu-Chek meter in development. However, as of this writing, details about the meter and its release date have not been made public.

The distributor of the Advocate meters released the Advocate Duo, a version that includes both a talking blood glucose meter and a wrist blood pressure cuff in one unit, in 2007. It also released the Advocate Redi-code that year.

The Prodigy Duo, a version that includes both a talking blood glucose meter and a wrist blood pressure cuff in one unit, was released in 2007, as was the Prodigy Voice.

Choosing wisely

Manufacturers are increasingly recognizing the need for talking blood glucose meters in today’s market. And more talking meters means more choices for people with visual impairment. Taking the time to research the options and decide which meter is best for you will make your blood glucose checks as easy as possible and can help you maintain good health for years to come.