Difference between revisions of "TruTone"

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http://www.griffinlab.com/Products/TruTone-Electrolarynx.html
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{{Electrolarynx|
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name_of_device=TruTone|
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image_file_name=Trutone kit 1.jpg|
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category=Electrolarynx|
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developer=Griffin Laboratories, Inc.|
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developer_commentary=<ref name="website"/>|
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announced=|
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announced_commentary=|
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consumers_release=|
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consumers_release_commentary=|
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price=600|
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price_commentary=<ref name="cost"/> (749 USD<ref name="trutoneplus" /> TruTone Plus) (Winter 2016/2017)|
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weight=128|
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weight_commentary=<ref name="website" />|
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controls1=buttons|
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controls_commentary=<ref name="website" />|
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data_available=|
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risk_factor=|
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link_to_website=http://www.griffinlab.com/Products/TruTone-Electrolarynx.html|
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}}
  
<!-- Very brief description of the technology. This section should contain the main information about the subject. It's good to leave this bit as the last one and use the information provided in greater detail in later sections.-->
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TruTone and TruTone Plus are electrolarynx devices manufactured by an American speech aid electronics company Griffin Laboratories, Inc. These devices are speech technologies aimed towards patients after total laryngectomy who lost their natural ability to produce voice.<ref name="website">Griffin Laboratories, Inc. TruTone™. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/Products/TruTone-Electrolarynx.html (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).</ref>
  
== Main characteristics ==
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== Main Characteristics ==
<!-- This section should describe the technology in more detail. Here should be information about the used hardware and software, available features, chemical composition and so on, provided that they are available. Second half of this section should offer information on history of the technology. When it was created, unveiled, developed, announced to the public or when it was available to purchase. Anything related to the technology that can be pinpointed to a certain date should be in this section together with relevant commentary.-->
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[[File:Trutone 1.jpg|100px|thumbnail|right|TruTone electrolarynx]]
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The company offers two TruTone products:
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[[File:Trutone plus 1.png|130px|thumbnail|right|TruTone Plus electrolarynx]]
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'''TruTone''' is a "light weight and small size" (the device weights approximately 128 grams) electrolarynx that features a on/off button with pressure sensitivity that allows the user to control the pitch of the produced sound with only one thumb on the device. It also features a thumb wheel to control the volume. The manufacturer advertises that the device has the widest tonal range available in comparison to competing devices. It is equipped with one rechargeable 9 V battery.<ref name="website" /> The manufacturer offers 5 years warranty within the United States. The device costs 600 USD.<ref name="cost"> Griffin Laboratories, Inc. Online Store: TruTone Plus(tm) Electrolarynx --with USB charging. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/catalog/trutone-electrolarynx-p-28.html (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).</ref>
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'''TruTone Plus''' is in all aspects identical with the device above. But it additionally features a USB port through which the device's battery can be charged.<ref name="trutoneplus"> Griffin Laboratories, Inc. Online Store: TruTone Plus(tm) Electrolarynx --with USB charging. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/catalog/new-usb-trutoner-electrolarynx-with-full-charge-p-96.html (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).</ref> The device costs 749 USD.<ref name="trutoneplus" />
  
 
=== Purpose ===
 
=== Purpose ===
<!-- This is a very short description of the technology's purpose. What will it be doing, for what goal was it created, how it modifies human cognition. Keep this as brief as possible. -->
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The TruTone series of devices is directed towards laryngectomees that have lost their ability to produce speech. The usage of an electrolarynx allows them to communicate in a quick and natural manner without resorting to other means such as pen and paper.  
  
 
=== Company & People ===
 
=== Company & People ===
<!-- This is a list of important people behind the technology. Note: It is not necessary to list absolutely everyone. -->
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The device is manufactured by an American company Griffin Laboratories, Inc. The company is based in Temecula, California.<ref>Griffin Laboratories, Inc. Who is Griffin Laboratories, Inc.?. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/About.html (Retrieved 9th January, 2017).</ref><ref>Zoom Information, Inc. Griffin Laboratories Inc. Zoom Information, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.zoominfo.com/s/#!search/profile/company?companyId=52381374&targetid=profile (Retrieved 9th January, 2017).</ref>
 
   
 
   
 
== Important Dates ==
 
== Important Dates ==
<!-- A list of important dates in the development and history of the technology. Use the information provided in the second half of the Main characteristics section and make it into a short, unnumbered list. -->
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1995: Griffin Laboratories, Inc. established.<ref>Griffin Laboratories, Inc. Online Store: Welcome!. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/catalog/-i-1.html (Retrieved 9th January, 2017).</ref>
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The company does not inform about any other important dates that are relevant to this particular device.
  
 
== Enhancement/Therapy/Treatment ==
 
== Enhancement/Therapy/Treatment ==
<!-- Describe in detail whether the technology aims to enhance human cognition, i.e. to improve human abilities beyond what is considered normal, and/or if it is also applicable as a form of treatment or therapy, i.e. it can serve to cure patients or restore abilities that do not perform as they would in a healthy person -->
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TruTone and TruTone Plus are devices that replace the speech producing functions of a larynx. Electrolarynges are meant to return the ability to communicate by voice for laryngectomy patients.
  
 
== Ethical & Health Issues ==
 
== Ethical & Health Issues ==
<!-- Provide detailed information (if possible or if available) about any ethical risks and related ethical topics, and also related health issues, be it already discovered and covered in literature, or just speculative ones, should be described and properly cited in this section. -->
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There are no ethical or health issues connected to this particular device.
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For more general issues connected with electrolarynges, please see the [[Electrolarynx]] synopsis.  
  
 
== Public & Media Impact and Presentation ==
 
== Public & Media Impact and Presentation ==
<!-- Provide information about the impact the technology had on the public and how the technology is presented in the media or literature. If there was anything in the news regarding this technology, it should be noted and properly cited here. -->
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There are a number of testimonials<ref>Griffin Laboratories, Inc. Online Store: TruTone(r) Electrolarynx. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/catalog/trutoner-electrolarynx-pr-28.html (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).</ref> and reviews<ref>Griffin Laboratories, Inc. TruTone™ Electrolarynx Reviews. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/Reviews.html (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).</ref> available on the official website as well as a few user reviews on Amazon.<ref>Amazon.com, Inc. Customer Reviews. Amazon.com, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.amazon.com/Maxi-Aids-Trutone-Electrolarynx/dp/B003E6LNTE#customerReviews (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).</ref>
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All user opinions commend the sturdiness of the device. One user report that the device remained working after he accidentally dropped it into a toilet. He claimed:<blockquote> After this terrible 24 hours, I reassembled my TruTone, pushed the button and again I heard that all familiar reassuring buzzing sound. IT STILL WORKS. That was six months ago, and I'm still using that same TruTone, cleaned and disinfected.<ref>LOWE, Carson. The Reliable TruTone Electrolarynx. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/Reviews.html#clowe (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).</ref></blockquote> Another customer that reported running it over by his car:<blockquote> I walked down to the end of street where our mail box is and sure enough I found it. The bad part is that I drove over it with my truck. It is a little scratched but is working ok. Great testament to your design!!!<ref>Customer R. This should give you a laugh. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/catalog/trutoner-electrolarynx-pri-28.html?reviews_id=44 (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).</ref></blockquote>  Other users praise the user-friendliness of the device,<ref>SHAH, Shilpa. From Ms. Shilpa Shah in Mumbai, India. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/catalog/trutoner-electrolarynx-pri-28.html?reviews_id=41 (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).</ref> quality of the produced sound,<ref>Max H. I was first intgroduced to the Trutone at the IAL in Indianapolis. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/catalog/trutoner-electrolarynx-pri-28.html?reviews_id=11 (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).</ref> and additional service provided by the company.<ref>David A. The TruTone has been a blessing for me, people or better able to understand me now. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/catalog/trutoner-electrolarynx-pri-28.html?reviews_id=28 (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).</ref>
  
 
== Public Policy ==
 
== Public Policy ==
<!-- Information related to any regulations (law, patents, ISOs, government recommendations and so on.) -->
 
  
== Related Technologies, Projects or Scientific Research ==
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The company is listed in the the U.S. Food and Drug Administration medical devices catalogue.<ref>U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Establishment Registration & Device Listing. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Available online at: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfRL/rl.cfm?lid=447814&lpcd=ESE (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).</ref>
<!-- If there is any scientific research conducted or being conducted that is closely connected to this technology, it should be properly cited here. -->
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== Related Technologies, Projects, or Scientific Research ==
 +
 
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The official website mentions a self-published research by the speech pathologist Brian Shute, Ph.D. In the article, the author compares the reactions of laryngectomees to different brand of electrolarynges. TruTone was selected as the second most reliable and user-friendly device, right after Servona's Servox.<ref>SHURE, Brian. Perceptions of Artificial Larynx Reliability According to Laryngectomees and Speech-Language Pathologists. drshute.com [online]. 2003. Available online at: http://www.drshute.com/archives/2005/09/perceptions_of.html (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).</ref>
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The manufacturer also sell a hands-free holder, which allows customers to speak without use their hands.<ref> Atos Medical. Trutone™ Electrolaynx. Atos Medical [online]. Available online at: http://www.atosmedical.co.uk/product/trutone-electrolaynx/ (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).</ref>
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For more information about this type of devices, please see the [[Electrolarynx]] synopsis.
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==

Latest revision as of 15:06, 14 July 2017

TruTone
Trutone kit 1.jpg
Category Electrolarynx
Developer Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [1]
Announced
Released
Price 600 USD [2] (749 USD[3] TruTone Plus) (Winter 2016/2017)
Weight 128 g [1]
Controls

buttons [1]

Data available
Risk factor
http://www.griffinlab.com/Products/TruTone-Electrolarynx.html

TruTone and TruTone Plus are electrolarynx devices manufactured by an American speech aid electronics company Griffin Laboratories, Inc. These devices are speech technologies aimed towards patients after total laryngectomy who lost their natural ability to produce voice.[1]

Main Characteristics

TruTone electrolarynx

The company offers two TruTone products:

TruTone Plus electrolarynx

TruTone is a "light weight and small size" (the device weights approximately 128 grams) electrolarynx that features a on/off button with pressure sensitivity that allows the user to control the pitch of the produced sound with only one thumb on the device. It also features a thumb wheel to control the volume. The manufacturer advertises that the device has the widest tonal range available in comparison to competing devices. It is equipped with one rechargeable 9 V battery.[1] The manufacturer offers 5 years warranty within the United States. The device costs 600 USD.[2]

TruTone Plus is in all aspects identical with the device above. But it additionally features a USB port through which the device's battery can be charged.[3] The device costs 749 USD.[3]

Purpose

The TruTone series of devices is directed towards laryngectomees that have lost their ability to produce speech. The usage of an electrolarynx allows them to communicate in a quick and natural manner without resorting to other means such as pen and paper.

Company & People

The device is manufactured by an American company Griffin Laboratories, Inc. The company is based in Temecula, California.[4][5]

Important Dates

1995: Griffin Laboratories, Inc. established.[6]

The company does not inform about any other important dates that are relevant to this particular device.

Enhancement/Therapy/Treatment

TruTone and TruTone Plus are devices that replace the speech producing functions of a larynx. Electrolarynges 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 electrolarynges, please see the Electrolarynx synopsis.

Public & Media Impact and Presentation

There are a number of testimonials[7] and reviews[8] available on the official website as well as a few user reviews on Amazon.[9]

All user opinions commend the sturdiness of the device. One user report that the device remained working after he accidentally dropped it into a toilet. He claimed:

After this terrible 24 hours, I reassembled my TruTone, pushed the button and again I heard that all familiar reassuring buzzing sound. IT STILL WORKS. That was six months ago, and I'm still using that same TruTone, cleaned and disinfected.[10]

Another customer that reported running it over by his car:

I walked down to the end of street where our mail box is and sure enough I found it. The bad part is that I drove over it with my truck. It is a little scratched but is working ok. Great testament to your design!!![11]

Other users praise the user-friendliness of the device,[12] quality of the produced sound,[13] and additional service provided by the company.[14]

Public Policy

The company is listed in the the U.S. Food and Drug Administration medical devices catalogue.[15]

Related Technologies, Projects, or Scientific Research

The official website mentions a self-published research by the speech pathologist Brian Shute, Ph.D. In the article, the author compares the reactions of laryngectomees to different brand of electrolarynges. TruTone was selected as the second most reliable and user-friendly device, right after Servona's Servox.[16]

The manufacturer also sell a hands-free holder, which allows customers to speak without use their hands.[17]

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

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Griffin Laboratories, Inc. TruTone™. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/Products/TruTone-Electrolarynx.html (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).
  2. 2.0 2.1 Griffin Laboratories, Inc. Online Store: TruTone Plus(tm) Electrolarynx --with USB charging. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/catalog/trutone-electrolarynx-p-28.html (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Griffin Laboratories, Inc. Online Store: TruTone Plus(tm) Electrolarynx --with USB charging. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/catalog/new-usb-trutoner-electrolarynx-with-full-charge-p-96.html (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).
  4. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. Who is Griffin Laboratories, Inc.?. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/About.html (Retrieved 9th January, 2017).
  5. Zoom Information, Inc. Griffin Laboratories Inc. Zoom Information, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.zoominfo.com/s/#!search/profile/company?companyId=52381374&targetid=profile (Retrieved 9th January, 2017).
  6. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. Online Store: Welcome!. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/catalog/-i-1.html (Retrieved 9th January, 2017).
  7. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. Online Store: TruTone(r) Electrolarynx. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/catalog/trutoner-electrolarynx-pr-28.html (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).
  8. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. TruTone™ Electrolarynx Reviews. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/Reviews.html (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).
  9. Amazon.com, Inc. Customer Reviews. Amazon.com, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.amazon.com/Maxi-Aids-Trutone-Electrolarynx/dp/B003E6LNTE#customerReviews (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).
  10. LOWE, Carson. The Reliable TruTone Electrolarynx. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/Reviews.html#clowe (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).
  11. Customer R. This should give you a laugh. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/catalog/trutoner-electrolarynx-pri-28.html?reviews_id=44 (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).
  12. SHAH, Shilpa. From Ms. Shilpa Shah in Mumbai, India. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/catalog/trutoner-electrolarynx-pri-28.html?reviews_id=41 (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).
  13. Max H. I was first intgroduced to the Trutone at the IAL in Indianapolis. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/catalog/trutoner-electrolarynx-pri-28.html?reviews_id=11 (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).
  14. David A. The TruTone has been a blessing for me, people or better able to understand me now. Griffin Laboratories, Inc. [online]. Available online at: http://www.griffinlab.com/catalog/trutoner-electrolarynx-pri-28.html?reviews_id=28 (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).
  15. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Establishment Registration & Device Listing. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Available online at: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfRL/rl.cfm?lid=447814&lpcd=ESE (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).
  16. SHURE, Brian. Perceptions of Artificial Larynx Reliability According to Laryngectomees and Speech-Language Pathologists. drshute.com [online]. 2003. Available online at: http://www.drshute.com/archives/2005/09/perceptions_of.html (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).
  17. Atos Medical. Trutone™ Electrolaynx. Atos Medical [online]. Available online at: http://www.atosmedical.co.uk/product/trutone-electrolaynx/ (Retrieved 12th January, 2017).