Electrolaryngeal Speech
An electrolarynx is a mechanical device that is used to help produce speech in individuals who have had a laryngectomy, or for some other reason cannot use their larynx. This web page describes electrolaryngeal speech.
  The electrolarynx is a hand-held device about the size of a small electric shaver that has a vibrating plastic diaphragm. In order to speak, the end of the electrolarynx is placed against the neck and a small button in pushed. This causes the diaphragm to vibrate and produces a vibration in the throat that duplicates the vibration of the vocal cords. The speaker than articulates with the tongue, palate, throat and lips as usual.
An electrolarynx is shown on the far left. Immediately to the left is a drawing illustrating how the electrolarynx is used.
Some people require practice in placing the electrolarynx in just the right spot on the neck in order to produce good speech. Practice is also needed in articulation. The speech from an electrolarynx has a mechanical sound but can be very clear and easily understood. The speech, when done properly, is also easily understandable over a telephone.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Electrolaryngeal Speech
Advantages
1. One can speak in long sentences that are easily understood.
2. No special care requirements are needed; the electrolarynx only has to be placed up against the neck and turned on.
3. The electrolarynx can be used by almost everybody, regardless of the post-operative changes in the neck. In those few cases where scarring prevents proper placement of the electrolarynx, an intraoral version can be used.
Disadvantages
1. The electrolarynx has a very mechanical tone that does not sound natural. There usually is little change in pitch or modulation.
2. One must have good hand control to use an electrolarynx.
Permission to re-print some of the images above provided by INHEALTH Technologies, Carpinteria, CA. http://www.inhealth.com |
