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| Prosthetic Voice Box | |
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The larynx, is located in the throat. It is a passageway for air. In the larynx, there are vocal cords that allow us to make sounds because of the vibration of the chords. Some people must have the larynx removed to keep the air passage open. The operation to remove the voice box is called a laryngectomy. Without the larynx, there is no voice.
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Here are some devices to create an artificial voice:
*In 1791, bellow devices were made by Wolfgang von Kempelerr. Later, Alexander Graham Bell and his brothers improved on it. *In 1873, an artificial larynx was placed in a patient with a laryngectomy. The device was clumsy, but it did produce a monotone voice. *An electrolarynx is held up to the neck. It creates vibrations in the pharynx and the mouth can move to create words. Another device similar to this one creates sound when an electronic vibrating device creates a sound that enters the mouth and the user makes words with his or her mouth. The downsides to these two devices are the voice is monotonous and the device is bulky. *An artificial larynx is put into a small appliance that fits into the mouth. It produces a humming tone in the mouth which can be changed by moving the mouth. With a touch of the tongue, it can be turned on and off. *The voice button and the duckbill are small valves placed in the patient's trachea and esophagus. They keep food and fluids from leaking out of the esophagus into the trachea, but allow air to go from the trachea into the esophagus. The esophagus vibrates a low-pitched sound that can be turned into words. Nowadays, the later three are the most common. Either air is forced through a device causing vibrations, an electronic generator produces a hum, or a hand-held vibrator is placed against the neck. |
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