The Artificial Larynx

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The Artificial Larynx

• By Jennifer Hatfield

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What is an artificial larynx?

• A device used for communication after a
  laryngectomy.
• Also called an electrolarynx or electronic larynx.

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What makes an Artificial Larynx a good option?

• Not everyone is able to develop good esophageal
  speech.
• Allows for communication while mastering
  esophageal speech.

• Provides increased volume in noisy social
  situations.
• Makes talking on the telephone easier.

(Lauder, 1970)
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Two Types of Artificial Larynges

• Transcervical Device
• Transoral Device

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Transcervical Devices

• The vibratory source is placed on the neck.
• The signal resonates through the vocal tract to
  produce speech (Doyle, n.d.).

(Web Whispers, 2001)
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Transoral Device

• Consists of a tube which transmits the vibratory
  source through the oral cavity.
• Speech sounds are articulated once the source
  enters the oral cavity.
• (Doyle, n.d.)

(Web Whispers, 2001)
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Intelligibility the Artificial Larynx

• Depends on the interaction between the speaker
  and the artificial larynx.
• Not all devices will result in an equally
  intelligible and acceptable voice for every
  speaker.
• (Stalker, Hawk, Smaldino, 1982).

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Laryngectomees views on the artificial larynx

• Laryngectomees are more critical of aspects such
  as loudness, rate, and intelligibility as
  compared to informed and expert judges.
• Laryngectomees view their appearance with an
  artificial larynx as less favorable than naïve or
  expert judges do.
• (Watson Williams, 1987)

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Increasing Intelligibility

• Become familiar with your Sweet Spot (Shute,
  1997).
• Use visual aspects, such as gestures and facial
  expressions (Stalker, Hawk, Smaldino, 1982).
• Make eye contact when speaking.
• Get to know your device.

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What does an artificiallarynx sound like?

• Here are examples of a few different brands of
  Artificial larynx devices
• SolaTone
• Im doing great!
• Tru Tone
• Hello, how are you?
• Nu-Vois
• Im doing great!
• Just click the sound icon to hear the example.
• (Web Whispers, 2001)

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References

• Doyle, Philip (n.d.). Laryngectomee FAQs.
  Retrieved July 23, 2002, from
  http//www.larynxlink.com/library/faqs/FAQ22.htm.
• Lauder, Edmund (1970). The laryngectomee and the
  artificial larynx A second look. Journal of
  Speech and Hearing Disorders, 35(1), 62-65.
• Shute, Brian (1997). Theres nothing like that
  sweet spot Placement of the artificial larynx.
  AKSHA Voice.
• Retrieved June 27, 2002, from
• http//www.communicativemedical.com/reprints/PLA
  CEMEN.html .

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• Stalker, Janet L., Hawk, Ash McClure, Smaldino,
  Joseph J. (1982). The intelligibility and
  acceptability of speech produced by five
  different electronic artificial larynx devices.
  Journal of Communication Disorders, 15(4),
  299-307.
• Web Whispers (2001). Talking again Retrieved
  July 24, 2002, from http//www.webwhispers.org/pa
  ges/hints/electrolarynx.htm .