Design of the wearable electrolarynx equipped with the loudspeaker

Abstract

Conventional electrolarynx supplies sound into a vocal tract instead of vocal cords by pushing a button. However, hands-free electrolarynx which enables intonation control have been requested by many users. In order to develop that, the problem of a gap of a vibrator in use and shortage of volume due to insufficient pressure of vibrator needs to be solved. Then, we developed the speech amplifier for the voice uttered by electrolarynx. And, we produced the prototype of the total system which unified the speech amplifier, the intonation control sensor, and the vibrator. This paper describes the development process and describes elements required for development of hands-free electrolarynx from the viewpoint of dynamics and usability.