The ModelTalker Project: A Web-Based Voice Banking Pipeline for ALS/MND Patients
Abstract
The Nemours ModelTalker supports voice banking for users diagnosed with ALS/MND and related neurodegenerative diseases. Users record up to 1600 sentences from which a synthetic voice is constructed. For the past two years we have focused on extending and refining a web-based recording tool to support this process. In this demonstration, we illustrate the features of the web-based pipeline that guides patients through the process of setting up to record at home, recording a standard speech inventory, adding custom recordings, and screening alternative versions of their voice and alternative synthesis parameter settings. Finally, we summarize results from 352 individuals with a wide range of speaking ability, who have recently used this voice banking pipeline.