Servox Digital - Speech Techniques and Settings; Articulation; Individual Settings; Volume

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Articulation
As mentioned previously, precise articulation is vital to achieve clear
speech. It helps to practise beforehand a whisper only using the air in
your mouth. There are various „pseudowhisper“ sounds which can be
formed just using the air in your mouth, that don’t require the voice.
Practise the sounds listed below without your speech aid, so that you
can feel the puff of air from the mouth and hear the sounds themselves:
Plosives: p – t – k
Fricatives: f – s – sh – th – h
Linked consonants: ps – ts – ks – ch – st
Once you have perfected the pronunciation of single phonemes, you are
ready to try words.
Practice words such as:
P
ast, Toast, Cook, Fast, Tool, Ship, Cheese, Lose, Box, Stool
When practicing these sounds and words, ensure that no accompanying
breathing sounds can be heard from the stoma. This reduces clarity, as the
breathing sounds can overpower the voice.
Think about whispering softly, this
alone will help to reduce the
breathing sounds. You have spent
many years speaking with the air
you breathe out, now it’s just a
question of changing habits and
only using the air in your mouth
to articulate.
At the same time though, ensure
that you do not over-articulate or
use your speech apparatus (jaw, lips, tongue) excessively as this can result
in a throaty voice. It sounds then as if you are speaking right from the back
of your mouth and is difficult for listneners to understand.
Volume
Individual Settings
The individual volume setting on your speech aid is very important for
enabling your voice to fit to any particular situation.
IIII The ‘soft’ volume level is
for use in situations such
as speaking on the phone,
dining at a restaurant or in
places such as churches or
libraries where a quieter
voice is required.
IIII ‘Medium’ is the everyday
volume level, used for
general conversation in
environments such as
the home.
IIII The ‘loud’ volume level should be used only occasionally in situations
where you feel it to be appropriate.
The volume can be altered for both buttons, together or separately. Push
the rocker switch in an upwards direction to raise the volume for both
buttons, and downwards to lower the volume.
If you wish to alter the volume for just one button, press this button
down whilst pushing the rocker switch in the desired direction.