Affiliations: [a] Barnsley Assistive Technology Team, Barnsley Hospital, Barnsley, UK | [b] School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK | [c] Neuro Enablement Service, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Voice banking allows those living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) to create a personalised synthetic voice. Little is known about how best to support this process. OBJECTIVE: To review a dedicated voice banking service with the aim of informing service development. METHOD: A service review of existing health records from neurological services in Sheffield, UK, carried out retrospectively and covering 2018 and 2019. Case notes were reviewed to extract information about use of communication aids, offer of voice banking, and use of synthesised speech. Responses to a routine follow up survey were also collated. RESULTS: Less than half of the clients whose notes were reviewed had been informed about voice banking, one in four had completed the voice banking process, around half were using communication aids, and one in ten were using their personalised synthetic voice on a communication aid. The time taken to complete the process had a large variation. Those completing the process viewed the personalised voices positively and all were used when created. Support from professionals was noted by some as being key. CONCLUSIONS: Voice banking services should be more widely promoted to ensure that individuals can consider voice banking prior to changes in their speech. Research studies should inform how and when those living with MND are introduced to voice banking.
Keywords: Augmentative communication, communication aid, speech synthesis, motor neurone disease
