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Revolutionary Throat Patch Offers Hope for Voice Disorders

Developed by UCLA researchers, the new device translates throat muscle movements into speech without external power.

Overview

  • A new adhesive patch developed by researchers at UCLA can help people with voice disorders speak again by translating throat muscle movements into speech.
  • The device, powered by the muscle movements it detects, requires no battery or external power source.
  • In tests, the patch accurately predicted speech with about 95% accuracy, although it currently can only relay certain pre-recorded phrases.
  • The patch is still in the prototype stage and is years away from being available to patients, with further development needed to enhance its capabilities.
  • Existing treatments for voice disorders can be inconvenient or invasive, making this new technology a potentially significant advancement.