Speech Driven by Artificial Larynx: Potential Advancement Using Synthetic Pitch Contours

Abstract

Despite a long history of development, the speech qualities achieved with artificial larynx devices are limited. This paper explores recent advances in prosodic speech processing and technology and assesses their potentials in improving the quality of speech with an artificial larynx – in particular, tone and intonation through pitch variation. Three approaches are discussed: manual pitch control, automatic pitch control and re-synthesized speech.