Electrolarynx

Electrolarynx is a medical device used by individuals who have lost their voice box, usually due to cancer. This device allows them to produce clearer speech.

Overview

An electrolarynx is often used after a laryngectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the larynx. The device is placed against the throat or cheek, and the vibrations it produces are formed into speech by the movements of the lips and tongue.

Function

The electrolarynx works by producing a mechanical sound source that replaces the one provided naturally by the larynx. The user manually controls the pitch and volume of the sound. The sound is then articulated into speech by the movements of the lips, tongue, and other speech organs.

Types

There are two main types of electrolarynx devices: neck-type and intraoral. The neck-type is held against the throat, while the intraoral type is held in the mouth.

Use

Using an electrolarynx requires practice and training, often with the help of a speech-language pathologist. The user must learn to synchronize their speech movements with the sound produced by the device.

Benefits and drawbacks

The main benefit of an electrolarynx is that it allows individuals who have lost their voice box to communicate verbally. However, the speech produced by an electrolarynx has a mechanical quality and lacks the natural pitch and volume variations of normal speech.

See also

• Laryngectomy
• Speech-language pathology

References

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