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Frequently Asked Questions:

• What you should know about an Artificial Larynx.

• What you should know about the Tracheostoma.

• What you should know about a Voice Amplifier.

• Servox Digital tuning instructions.



WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AN ARTIFICIAL LARYNX

The artificial larynx works by electronically or pneumatically producing a focused tone that mimics the vocal cords. When applied firmly to the neck or along the cheek, a penetrating signal enters the mouth. It is this new signal or voice that is used for speech. Some patients use an intraoral tube that eliminates the need for neck placement. The artificial larynx produces a signal for voice that would otherwise not be there. The Servox digital, TruTone, Romet, and SolaTone units are excellent neck-type devices designed to provide voicing for post-laryngectomy patients and others who have no function of their vocal cords. An intraoral adaptor can be used immediately after surgery. The ToneAire unit is a superb pneumatic artificial larynx. Each unit sold by CMI is carefully tested for output and performance prior to shipping. Curious??? Call for a phone demo of any of these devices, or listen to them online: Speech Samples Our toll-free number is 1-800-944-6801.

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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE TRACHEOSTOMA?

Prior to surgery the patient breathed through his or her nose and mouth. The nose acted like a filter and humidifier to condition the air entering the trachea and lungs. After surgery however, the patient no longer breathes through his or her nose but rather through a stoma opening in the neck. Left uncovered or improperly filtered, the stoma or trach-tube cannot filter or condition air appropriately. This is like removing the filter on your furnace at home. Dust and debris get into the wrong places. The body's response to this condition is excessive mucus production and coughing. A stoma that is not moist becomes chapped and develops mucus crusts. A good filtering product does four important things: It filters dirt and pollen, keeps warmth in the stoma, maintains moisture, and covers a very personal area. We carry a number of products that are attractively designed to keep your stoma healthy.
See Tracheostoma Products

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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT A VOICE AMPLIFIER

Through modern electronic voice technology, a voice amplifier boosts an already existing signal. In all cases an individual must have some voice (even if it's weak) before an amplifier can work. A microphone is used to pick up the weakened voice for amplification. An appropriate system is portable; battery operated and is user friendly. Superior models allow the user's hands to be free from holding a microphone. Vocal amplifiers are very effective if the vocal impairment is the result of respiratory or laryngeal problems. Low consonant production, as observed in dysarthric patients, can be enhanced using a voice amplifier/enhancer. Many times overall intelligibility ("understandability") can be increased for folks with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and other conditions that affect articulation, voice and breath support. See the Classic POWERVOX, and the MiniVox devices that use our special Behind-The-Head microphone. Please email or call if you have questions

Voice Amplifier's we carry:

ChatterVox™
Classic PowerVox™
MiniVox™ Wireless System
Pignose™

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SERVOX DIGITAL TUNING

You will need a toothpick or similar small object to tune your SERVOX digital. The pitch must be adjusted separately for each button. The following instructions will guide you through the tuning process.

Unscrew the bottom cover and remove the battery.
Hold the device at the top and slide off the titanium casing.
Place the battery back into the device and put the bottom cover back on.
Turn the unit so that the green colored circuit board is facing you. Make sure the unit is up right with the head cap towards the top.

Look on the upper left corner of the green circuit board. Notice the two switches labeled 1 and 2. The switches should be in the down position (the position nearest to the battery cap).


Figure 1: Both switches in the OFF position Take your toothpick and gently press switch #1 into the ON position (the position nearest to the head cap of the SERVOX Digital). This will tune the top button on your SERVOX digital.


Figure 2: Switch 1 in the ON position
Turn your SERVOX Digital so that the buttons are facing you.


Figure 3: The top and bottom buttons
Now you will use the TOP and BOTTOM buttons to tune the your machine. By pressing the TOP button you can raise the pitch of your machine. To lower your pitch, simply press the BOTTOM button. Each time you press the TOP button you are raising the pitch by 1Hz, and each time you press the BOTTOM button you are lowering the pitch 1Hz.

Note: You must press and release the button each time to raise or lower the tone. Example: If you press and release the TOP button three times you will have raised the tone by three steps (3Hz).

Adjust your SERVOX digital to your liking by using either the TOP or BOTTOM buttons. When you have found a tone you like turn your SERVOX digital around so the green circuit board is again facing you. Take your toothpick and move switch #1 to the OFF position. Both buttons should now be in the OFF position (see figure 1).

Now you are ready to tune the BOTTOM button. Take your toothpick and gently press switch #2 into the ON position (the position nearest to the head cap of the SERVOX digital). This will tune the BOTTOM button on your SERVOX digital.


Figure 4: Switch 2 in the ON position
Turn your SERVOX digital so that the buttons are facing you (See Figure 3)

Now you will use the TOP and BOTTOM buttons to tune your machine. By pressing the TOP button you can raise the pitch of your machine. To lower your pitch, simply press the BOTTOM button. Each time you press the TOP button you are raising the pitch by 1Hz, and each time you press the BOTTOM button you are lowering the pitch 1Hz.

Note: You must press and release the button each time to raise or lower the tone. Example: If you press and release the TOP button three times you will have raised the tone by three steps (3Hz).

Adjust your SERVOX digital to your liking by using either to TOP or BOTTOM buttons. When you have found a tone you like turn your SERVOX digital around so the green circuit board is again facing you. Take your toothpick and move switch #2 to the OFF position. Both buttons should now be in the OFF position (see figure 1).

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