Using Respeecher in supporting communication after laryngectomy.
People who had their voice box surgically removed, laryngectomy often struggle to use
communication devices to have social interaction, receive support from customer services or even in case of emergencies. During the operation, the larynx is removed and the trachea or windpipe is brought forward into the neck. The lungs are no longer connected to the mouth. The most often used form of speech recovery is tracheoesophageal voice, in which a valve is placed to connect the trachea with the esophagus or the food pipe. The air passage from the lungs then causes a part of the gullet to vibrate and produce sound. The sound travels up further into the mouth where it is shaped into speech. This new voice however is non-sinusoidal and
irregular in nature and therefore a challenge for traditional communication devices. The sound is also much lower and this causes even more problems for women, who are often mistaken for men.
Together with Respeecher, specialized in voice cloning, we explored the use of their technology on voice samples of tracheoesophageal voice and developed a prototype to offer real time intelligible voice replacement that aims to improve support specific for individuals who have had a laryngectomy.
Respeecher is a voice cloning technology company established in 2018. Respeecher’s
technology enables one voice to sound exactly like another one. Its world leading technology powered by artificial technology is used in Hollywood and was recognised by Emmy award in 2021. One of the next steps of Respeecher is to widen the positive use of voice cloning and help patients that went through larynx removal to bring the quality of voice back and live life to the full.
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