National Public Radio recently featured a researcher who has figured out a way to help people who can’t talk by matching the sounds they are able to make to someone else’s voice and creating a synthetic voice.
“Speech scientist Rupal Patel creates customized synthetic voices that enable people who can’t speak to communicate in a unique voice that embodies their personality.
“Rupal Patel directs the Communication Analysis and Design Laboratory at Northeastern University. She helped found VocaliD, an organization working to help the millions of people who use computerized devices to communicate in unique voices.
“Patel’s technique to move beyond the usual generic male voice. She samples the tones of those with severe speech disorders and matches them with a surrogate talker. By blending the two, the team can create a synthetic voice to match the person using it.”
Check out the NPR story here.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
Isn’t this wonderful?! When you think about how recognizable the voices are of your close family members and friends–how you can pick them out instantly–it gives a sense of how devastating it would be to have no unique voice!
I don’t get the actual mechanics of how the person without a voice creates new words and sentences using someone else’s voice, but I get the principle. I love that there are always people working to solve problems like this.
Thank you for sharing. This is very interesting. If you want check out my speech therapy blog at http://lookwhoostalking.wordpress.com/