Aids for speech-handicapped

An improved electrolarynx is described. It provides handcontrolled fundamental frequency which enables the user to approximate natural intonation patterns, thus overcoming the monotony of speech with conventional aids. Training experiments with normal and with laryngectomized subjects have given promising results. A voice amplifier has been developed. Special care has been taken to minimize acoustic feedback problems. It is used for compensation of any weak voice, including esophageal speech and as a supplement to the electrolarynx for increasing the sound output and improving the signal-to-noise ratio. The use of synthetic speech in aids for anarthric patients is discussed.