What does "Electrolarynx" mean?
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An electrolarynx is a device that helps people talk after they have lost their voice due to surgery, often from conditions like throat cancer. When the vocal cords are removed, speaking becomes very hard. The electrolarynx creates sound vibrations that allow users to produce speech.
How It Works
The device works by generating sound that mimics how natural vocal cords vibrate. Users place the device against their throat, and it sends out vibrations that can be shaped into words. Although it helps with communication, the speech produced is often not as clear or natural as regular speech.
Improving Electrolaryngeal Speech
Researchers are looking for ways to make the speech from an electrolarynx sound better. One approach is voice conversion, which changes the electrolaryngeal speech to make it more like natural speech. Some studies have used different techniques, including combining audio and visual information, to enhance the clarity and quality of the speech produced by an electrolarynx.
Benefits of Voice Conversion
By using advanced methods, like adding visual features, the quality of speech from an electrolarynx can improve. This means that people who rely on this device can communicate more clearly, helping them feel more confident when they speak.