Comparison of ratings of four artificial larynges

Fifty-six tape-recorded readings of the "Rainbow Passage" were played to 29 naive listeners for judgments regarding acceptability of artificial larynx speech. Both intraoral and neck-type devices were used, with comparisons among brands of particular interest. The Cooper-Rand, orally adapted Servox, AT&T 5 C, and the neck Servox were used in eliciting speech samples from 14 male esophageal speakers. Listeners rated acceptability using a seven-point equal-appearing interval scale. All devices were rated similar in fluency acceptability, inflection, and overall communicative effectiveness. Speaking rates were judged more acceptable with the oral Servox and least acceptable with the Cooper-Rand. Pitch/quality was more acceptable with intraoral devices than with neck devices, with the oral Servox rated highest. Clinical implications regarding the perceptual findings are discussed, with information about specific brands provided for patient counseling.