Nu-Vois

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Nu-Vois is a series of electrolarynxes that is manufactured by the American company Nu-Vois LLC.[1] The devices are lightweight and shaped so they can be operated with one hand. The models feature a different degree of control over the volume and tonal characteristics of the produced voice.

Main characteristics

Nu-Vois I

The company offers a selection of electrolarynxes ranging from their earliest model Nu-Vois I, through Nu-Vois II, III, and a smaller model that should serve as a backup device the Xtra-Vois. All the devices are roughly the same in size, shape, weight. The models have tubular shape 33 mm in diameter, weight approximately 120 g, and are 112 mm long. All are designed to be operated with one hand with the thumb operating the buttons. Detailed descriptions of the individual devices follow:

Nu-Vois II

Nu-Vois I[2] is the most basic and the oldest device Nu-Vois produces. It features an on/off button and a volume adjusting thumb wheel. The user can also adjust the pitch of the produced sound with a small screw accessible externally. A small screwdriver required for the task is included with the device.[3] The device costs 550 USD.

Nu-Vois III

Nu-Vois II[2] is a next iteration on the previous model. It was released in 1999. It features the same controls as the previous model sans the volume thumb wheel. All tonal adjustments are done incrementally via two buttons. The settings can be stored digitally.[4] The device costs 595 USD.

Xtra-Vois I

Nu-Vois III[5] is the latest and comparably most advanced model. It features 4 buttons - two to lower or increase the volume, and two to turn the device on and off. The second group of buttons is also used to store and recall saved settings. The user can then have two different settings for pitch and volume ready to be used.[6][7] The device costs 625 USD.

Xtra-Vois I[8] is a basic model that should serve as a backup device. It does not feature an advanced controls for pitch. The device is otherwise identical in features to Nu-Vois I.[9][10] The device costs 395 USD.

Nu-Vois is the name of the original analogue model. It has been discontinued and replaced by the Nu-Vois I.

All devices come with oral tubes and two 9 V NiMH rechargeable batteries included.

Purpose

The series of devices is directed towards laryngectomy patients that lost their ability to produce speech. The usage of an electrolarynxs allows the to communicate in a quick and natural manner without resorting to other means such as pen and paper.

Company & People

Nu-Vois LLC is an American electronics company located in Meridian, Idaho.[11] The company claims to be on the market for over 20 years but did not indicated the date it was established.

Important Dates

  • 1999 - Nu-Vois LLC introduces the Nu-Vois II.[11]
  • 2000 - Nu-Vois LLC introduces Nu-Vois III.[11]

Enhancement/Therapy/Treatment

Treatment - Electrolarynxes are meant to return the ability to communicate by voice for laryngectomy patients.

Ethical & Health Issues

There are no ethical or health issues connected to this particular device.

For more general issues connected with smartglasses, please see the Electrolarynx synopsis.

Public & Media Impact and Presentation

We could locate only one review for Nu-Vois III on the Harris Communication retailer website.[12] A user with the handle mjhjpy writes: "only been using the product for two years but can honestly say much better than the alternative ( thumb over stoma )". No other form of assessment is given.

Public Policy

As of 2016, Nu-Vois LLC is registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration under the Registration Number 3029791.[13]

Related Technologies, Projects or Scientific Research

There are no related projects or research relevant to this device specifically.

For more information about this type of devices, please see the Electrolarynx synopsis.

References

  1. http://www.nu-vois.com/
  2. 2.0 2.1 http://www.nu-vois.com/nuvois1and2.php
  3. http://www.luminaud.com/nu_vois_i
  4. http://www.electrolarynx.com/pages/catalog/ElectroLarynges.html
  5. http://www.nu-vois.com/nuvois3.php
  6. http://www.luminaud.com/nu_vois_iii
  7. http://speech-language-pathology-audiology.advanceweb.com/Article/NU-VOIS-Electronic-Speech-Prostheses.aspx
  8. http://www.nu-vois.com/accessories.php
  9. http://www.luminaud.com/xtra_vois
  10. http://www.brucemedical.com/xtravois.html
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 http://www.nu-vois.com/about.php
  12. http://www.harriscomm.com/nuvois-digital-speech-aid.html
  13. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfRL/rl.cfm?rid=48675