Creating personalized synthetic speech for people with progressive speech difficulties
Generating Personalized Synthetic Speech for Progressive Dysarthria Using Severity-Appropriate Adaptation Strategies for Neural Text-to-Speech and Voice Conversion
['FUNDING_R21'] · UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA · NIH-10656540
This study is working on creating special synthetic voices for people with speech difficulties, like those with ALS, so they can communicate better and feel more connected to others as their condition changes.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R21'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-10656540 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing advanced technology to create personalized synthetic voices for individuals suffering from progressive speech disorders, particularly those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). By utilizing text-to-speech (TTS) technology, the project aims to enhance communication devices that allow users to select text through their functioning body parts, which is then converted into speech. The goal is to provide a voice that reflects the user's identity, improving their ability to communicate and reducing feelings of isolation as their condition progresses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with progressive speech disorders, particularly those with ALS, who are experiencing difficulties in verbal communication.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have communication impairments or those in the early stages of ALS with minimal speech difficulties may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the quality of life for patients by providing them with a personalized voice that allows for more natural and meaningful communication.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in developing personalized speech synthesis technologies, indicating that this approach could lead to meaningful advancements in communication for affected individuals.
Where this research is happening
COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA — COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ZHAO, YUNXIN — UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA
- Study coordinator: ZHAO, YUNXIN
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Motor Neuron Disease, Gehrig's Disease, Lou Gehrig Disease