The Role Of Speech-To-Text Systems In Improving Communication In Laryngectomized Patients In Romania

The purpose of SWARA - (Mobile System for Rehabilitative Vocal Assistance of Surgical Aphonia) project is to help people with surgical aphonia, to integrate them and take part in everyday life.Objective of the study: The aim of this study is to investigate the satisfaction and adaptability of patients with a new vocal assistive technology for aphonic patients after total laryngectomy and to evaluate the extent to which interlocutors of patients with laryngectomy are satisfied with the qualities of synthetic voices.MethodsIn a first study, we have reviewed the way people in the community perceive synthetic voices as relevant dimensions for social interaction. In this study were included 82 participants. We also conducted a second study at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department of the Emergency County Hospital, Cluj-Napoca. Twenty laryngectomees were included in this study. Patients were trained to use the assistive communication system, web-based text-to-speech synthesis service accessible from any device. We used the SWARA Voice Synthesis Assessment Questionnaire, to assess the benefits and problems of the voice synthesis system. Patients provided feedback on the voice synthesis system after using it for 1 month. We have analysed the outcome of the project by collecting feedback on this assistive technique from a number of patients to which we offered to use the system.ResultsPreliminary results showed that synthetic voices were generally perceived as being clearer than the patient's voice, t (81) =-8.74, p<.001, d=.92 and the voice of the patient was perceived as more natural than the synthetic one, t (81) =5.19, p<.001, d=.55 Based on the second study in which patients with surgical aphonya used the system to communicate with people, 55% agreed that the system was useful. With regard to the use of the application, only 10% patients used the voice synthesis system in communicating with others, while 90% dropped the use of this speech assistant for various reasons.ConclusionThe results suggest that voice synthesis systems can be useful for some patients with surgical aphonia to communicate with others. Despite the lack of naturalness of the voice, the interlocutors are willing to engage in interactions with a patient who uses synthetic voice as a voice assistant device, similarly to a patient using a conventional voice assistant Therefore, the initial idea of the SWARA project remains topical.