Using visual feedback to enhance intonation control with a variable pitch electrolarynx

This study evaluated the effectiveness of using visual feedback to facilitate pitch control by a speaker using a pressure sensitive onset controlled electrolarynx (EL). This proof-of-concept study was conducted with one healthy adult. The participant-speaker was provided with computer generated visual feedback over five sessions within a consecutive period of three weeks. Changes in force control accuracy were gathered and analyzed. An improvement in finger (thumb) force control accuracy from the first to the last training session was documented. The results of this study provide data toward the development of a clinical training protocol for the use of a pressure sensitive onset controlled EL by laryngectomized speakers. Further, these results highlight the importance of developing a relevant multimodality training protocol for the improvement of postlaryngectomy EL speech production.