Text-to-speech synthesis as an alternative communication means after total laryngectomy.

AIMS: Total laryngectomy still plays an essential part in the treatment of laryngeal cancer and loss of voice is the most feared consequence of the surgery. Commonly used rehabilitation methods include esophageal voice, electrolarynx, and implantation of voice prosthesis. In this paper we focus on a new perspective of vocal rehabilitation utilizing alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) methods. METHODS AND PATIENTS: 61 consecutive patients treated by means of total laryngectomy with or w/o voice prosthesis implantation were included in the study. All were offered voice banking and personalized speech synthesis (PSS). They had to voluntarily express their willingness to participate and to prove the ability to use modern electronic communication devices. RESULTS: Of 30 patients fulfilling the study criteria, only 18 completed voice recording sufficient for voice reconstruction and synthesis. Eventually, only 7 patients started to use this AAC technology during the early postoperative period. The frequency and total usage time of the device gradually decreased. Currently, only 6 patients are active users of the technology. CONCLUSION: The influence of communication with the surrounding world on the quality of life of patients after total laryngectomy is unquestionable. The possibility of using the spoken word with the patient's personalized voice is an indisputable advantage. Such a form of voice rehabilitation should be offered to all patients who are deemed eligible.

Quality of life of patients after total laryngectomy: the struggle against stigmatization and social exclusion using speech synthesis.

In this article, we deal with the problem of potential stigmatization and social exclusion of people that have voice/speech problems due to neck cancer, especially those who have lost their voice because of total laryngectomy, and we analyze how this potential stigmatization could be alleviated by personalized speech synthesis. We used a mixed-method approach, consisting of quality of life questionnaires and in-depth semi-structured interviews, in order to provide more generalizable as well as rich information. We found out that people with speech problems feel depressed because of their health status and anxiety during social interactions, as they think that other people perceive them as abnormal, or they directly experience symbolic violence. For overcoming these negative feelings, the crucial factors are family relationships and maintaining employment. In both factors, speech synthesis can help significantly. Implications for rehabilitation Personalized speech synthesis can help considerably to people with severe voice impairment in their (re)integration into society. Where possible and appropriate, personalized speech synthesis should be offered as an option to "traditional" voice substitutions.