He used a scanning keyboard that highlighted words on screen. Initially controlled by a hand-held clicker (1986-2008), he later switched to a cheek muscle sensor when his hands weakened.

Hawking lost his ability to speak in 1985 after a tracheostomy. In 1986, he received the Equalizer communication system, initially using a thumb switch. Around 2008, as his motor function declined, he switched to an infrared sensor that detected cheek movements. Though offered upgrades including eye-tracking, he preferred the familiar system until his death on March 14, 2018.