An Experimental Transistorized Artificial Larynx

Abstract

A new experimental artificial larynx, which makes use of transistors and miniaturized components to provide a voice for those who have lost the use of their vocal cords by surgical removal or paralysis, is described. The larynx operates by introducing a substitute for the sound of the vocal cords into the pharyngeal cavity by means of a vibrating driver held against the throat. The acoustic principles of normal and artificial speech production that were followed in arriving at the new design are presented, along with descriptions of the transistor circuit and its operating characteristics.

Vocal frequency estimation and voicing state prediction with surface EMG pattern recognition

“…The basic concept behind current electrolarynx technology was patented over 40 years ago [8] yet only recently has there has begun to be some focus on improving the inherent deficits in quality, prosody and user interface. In particular, the quality of speech from electrolarynx has received significant attention.…”

Processing of speech signals for physical and sensory disabilities.

“…Many laryngectomies use an artificial larynx in order to produce intelligible speech. Recent advances in speech technology coupled with an increased understanding of the nature of speech production have resulted in significant improvements in the development of artificial larynxes (73,74). Recent advances include improved control of speech prosody and the use of microprocessorgenerated glottal waveforms based on recent theories of vocal cord vibration in order to produce more natural-sounding speech (75).…”

Esophageal Speech Enhancement Using a Feature Extraction Method Based on Wavelet Transform

“…To accomplish this, different methods have been suggested, such as: The esophageal speech, the use of tracheoesophageal prosthetics and the Artificial Larynx Transducer (ALT), also known as "electronic larynx" [1,2].…”