MONS, Belgium, March 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
Users about to lose the ability to
speak with their own voice can now re-create it synthetically, in
10 languages, enabling them to keep this essential part of their
identity. Learn more about it @CSUN event.
We are pleased to invite you to attend the 'my-own-voice'
presentation which will be held during CSUN, the Annual
International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference,
on March
5th, 2015 at
1.30 PM, on the AssistiveWare booth
#318.
A couple of months after the launch of 'my-own-voice', Acapela
Group is proud to say that 10 users have already entered the
recording process, validating day after day that 'my-own-voice' is
on the right track.
Acapela Group, speech expert and leading innovator in speech
solutions, is presenting at CSUN 'my-own-voice', a breakthrough
service allowing users diagnosed with speech or language disorders
(resulting from ALS or other conditions such as aphasia, dysarthria
or apraxia) to capture the essence of their voice before losing it.
This ground breaking invention will enable users to keep speaking
with their own voice rather than having to use a standard anonymous
synthetic voice.
'For years we have been receiving requests from users or their
relatives looking for a solution to re-create their voice and until
today the only answer we could give was "we are working on it". We
are very proud today to announce that we have created a service to
meet this specific, crucial need. We know that once diagnosed the
user doesn't have much time to capture the essence of their voice
before losing it. Our goal was to develop the most convenient
service for them to use, while ensuring that all the sounds we need
to create a synthetic version of their voice could be recorded.
My-own-voice is a first step for us in the field of speech
impairment. We look forward to developing further innovative
solutions to help improve the lives of users,' says Lars-Erik Larsson, CEO of Acapela Group.
Meet Eric and Garmt, the pioneers of
'my-own-voice'
Eric and Garmt have both been diagnosed with ALS. They have
decided to create their own synthetic voice and have participated
as pioneers on the first 'my-own-voice' experiences. They have
actively contributed to turn 'my-own-voice' concept into a real
solution for many people. We have learned a lot from them and would
like to thank them, their family and friends.
Eric
'Since the day I was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis) disease 2 years ago, my brother Josh and I learned my
voice would be rapidly declining and very soon I would be unable to
speak. This would frighten anyone, but I have always been a
man of many words so it was incredibly crushing to me. My
brother took action and we focused on finding the best synthetic
voice out there that could replicate my voice so I could "hear"
myself again. After trying multiple companies, we quickly learned
that Acapela Group was by far the most realistic and most
technologically advanced. Unfortunately, by that point, I was
unable to complete the clear speaking hours necessary to create my
own voice. I was depressed again.
'Then Acapela Group suggested if my brother had a similar voice
to mine that he could do the speaking and then we could deepen the
voice to sound like mine! It was such a brilliant idea and turned
out perfect. The voice is extremely realistic and it is by far
the best product of all the companies we tried. Working with
the Acapela Group's intelligent, personable and problem-solving
team was what sealed the deal for me. I would have paid anything to
hear my voice again, but their reasonable cost made it all the
better. We had a great overall experience and I would be happy
to answer any questions you have from an unbiased customer. Thanks
Acapela Group! I can hear my "voice" again!'
Eric Von Schaumburg
Garmt
'The voice from Acapela is an important part of me. No, that is not
a grammatical error. My voice is a part of who I am, part of my
identity. ALS took that away quite fast. Within months, the
synthetic voice sounded more like myself than I did. The first
few samples that I played for my friends convinced me that the
time investment was worth it, as they honestly thought I was
speaking myself instead of artificially. Now, I use it almost
exclusively to communicate. I am being taken apart by this disease
but this part of me is safe.
'Acapela supported me in an exemplary fashion, answering every
question and offering advice and support where needed. I got to
know them as a trustworthy, friendly and professional company.
'The decision to make your own voice when you have a deadly
disease to worry about is not easy. The time investment is not
huge, but it does take some effort. Also, at the beginning of the
disease I was reluctant to think about the fact that one day, I
would need to use one. So, that is not an easy decision. I am very
glad that I decided to do it and profit from it every day now.'
To learn more about Eric and Garmt and listen to voice samples,
visit
http://www.acapela-group.com/meet-eric-and-garmt-my-own-voice-users/
The recording process
To allow individuals to capture their own voice, the first
challenge for our R&D team was to create an entire, whole new
process to enable recordings to be made by non-professional
speakers, without any help from Acapela linguists, but with the
support of the user's speech therapist. Our expert knowledge had to
be harnessed to an end user approach. It has worked out well. We
have already run a couple of trials with users about to lose their
voice. We have created the foundation for major progress for speech
impaired people and we are working on improving methodology and
tools to take this vital work forward.
To learn more about my-own-voice or to apply, please visit
http://www.acapela-group.com/voices/voice-replacement/ and look at
our video tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo1-LVKZXuU&feature=youtu.be&list=PLPAdmxuzKpBTKXe9sdFLSmEVO2zhw0Hsj
About Acapela Group:
We invent speech solutions to vocalize any written content with
authentic and original voices that express meaning and intent. Over
100 synthetic voices in 30 languages are ready to give a voice to
any content producing a natural and pleasant audio result, by
turning written input into speech. We can create the voice your
company needs. Just for you. This is Acapela bespoke expertise.
Let's talk! http://www.acapela-group.com
About CSUN:
More information about the CSUN conference which will be held in
San Diego, CA from March 2 to March 7, 2015:
http://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/2015/sessions/index.php/public/website_pages/view/1
SOURCE Acapela Group