A new type of artificial larynx using a PZT ceramics vibrator as a sound source

Various speech production substitutes which aim to reconstruct speech functions have been developed and used practically, for vocalization-handicapped persons. However, current speech production substitutes have problems, and it is hoped that perfect speech production substitutes are developed. We pay attention to a PZT ceramics vibrator as a sound source of an artificial larynx. We try to produce the artificial larynx which uses a PZT ceramics vibrator, and we evaluate the performance. The power spectrum of the produced artificial larynx user's voice is similar to that of a nonhandicapped person's voice. The vocalized sound of the produced artificial larynx user shows good characteristics at formant frequency, which is important for vowel discrimination. Based on the result of listening estimation, this voice has good clarity. We hope that the proposed artificial larynx will be widely used in the future.