Design and in vitro testing of a voice-producing element for laryngectomized patients

A voice-producing element has been developed to improve speech qualify afte r laryngectomy. The design process started with the formulation of a list o f requirements. The lip principle has the best potential for fulfilling the requirements. A numerical model was made to find the optimal geometry of a n element based on the lip principle. Extensive in vitro tests were perform ed to check all requirements. For this a test set-up with realistic acousti c and aerodynamic properties was developed. Results show that the protruding lip length dominates fundamental frequency , cross-sectional area dominates flow resistance and relation between flow and fundamental frequency. Most requirements have been fullfilled; both for males and females a potentially good functioning prototype could be select ed. Clinical experiments will be performed to confirm the quality of the voice- producing prosthesis.