Design and implementation of a hands-free electrolarynx device controlled by neck strap muscle electromyographic activity

Total laryngectomy surgery results in a loss of human voice, and a corresponding deficit for normal speech production. A key disadvantage of available voice replacement prostheses is the inconvenience of using one hand for operating the device when speaking. To address this problem, a hands-free portable electrolarynx (EL) was developed. This wearable device transforms neck muscle electromyographic (EMG) activity into control signals for initiation and termination of voicing. Using the new system (EMG-EL), seven normal subjects produced voice initiation that was as fast as with a commercial hand-held EL, and faster than with normal voice. The EMG-EL was also tested in a laryngectomy subject, who produced voice initiation that was slower than with the commercial EL, but faster than with tracheo-esophageal voice. Voice termination with the EMG-EL was slower than with the other voice sources for all subjects.