| The electrolarynx (EL) is a commonly used voice prosthesis after total laryngectomy, but EL speech is typically monotonic and unnatural sounding. An electromyographic (EMG) controlled EL (EMG-EL) was previously developed to provide more natural-sounding vocal inflection. Two groups of listener participants -- a group of SLP graduate students and a group of Laryngectomee support group members -- judged the naturalness of speech produced using the EMG-EL (recorded in a prior study with a headset microphone). Recordings came from two Laryngectomee participants using the EMG-EL in five different control modes. Two modes were similar to commercially available EL devices: one with monotone F0 and one with push-button F0 control. The remaining three modes had EMG-based F0 modulation from neck surface recordings. Speech produced with EMG-controlled F0 was judged as significantly more natural-sounding than monotone or button-controlled F0, suggesting that the EMG-EL may support improved prosthetic voice/speech compared to currently available EL devices. |
