Clinical pilot study assessment of a portable real-time voice analyser

The use of computer-based real-time visual displays is now well established in voice clinics. A number of situations exist, however, where a computer-based system is inconvenient and a battery-powered hand-held version would be preferred. This would, for example, enable voice monitoring to be carried out at any time and place, including during home visits. This paper describes a purpose-built device that provides real-time displays of fundamental frequency and larynx closed quotient (CQ) derived from the electrolaryngograph output. The fundamental frequency data can in addition, be acquired from a microphone. The system has been in use recently in a speech and language therapy clinic in Sheffield, UK and the advantages and disadvantages noted during that trial are discussed.