This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
New technology helps people with MND hold on to speech
New voice banking software which helps people with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) to continue to communicate is being offered at Great Western Hospital.
The hospital’s speech and language team has introduced a dedicated laptop with specialised software to enable patients to bank their own voice before it deteriorates.
It allows a person with MND to record hundreds of phrases with their own voice while they are still able to do so, with the recordings then converted to create a personal synthetic voice which can then be used to generate an infinite number of words and sentences.
Lucie Spurway, speech and language therapist, said: “Losing our voice can often feel like we're losing our identity, so we try to offer this to our MND patients as early as possible, if it is appropriate for them.
"The voice banking technology means that a patient can record words before communicating becomes difficult and, as the synthesised voice is based on their real voice, it can help to retain their sense of identity.
"Voice banking isn't for everyone and we have to work with each individual to decide on the best plan for them. We look at many things including what the person does in their day and with who they need to communicate."
Graham Lennox, consultant neurologist, said: “Treatment options for MND are still very limited, so voice banking is one way we can work around the problems it can cause.
"When voice synthesisers were first introduced, you had the choice of a male or female voice. Now to have something that sounds like you is amazing.
"We're very pleased to be able to offer such a high quality service at the Great Western Hospital and we're very lucky to have such enthusiastic and expert staff like Lucie supporting our patients."
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