Impact of various small sound source signals on voice conversion accuracy in speech communication aid for laryngectomees

We proposed a speaking aid system using statistical voice conversion for laryngectomees, whose vocal folds have been removed. This paper investigates the influence of various small sound sources on the voice conversion accuracy. Spectral envelopes and power of sound sources are controlled independently. In total 8 different kinds of sound source signals, e.g. pulse train, sierra wave and so on, are examined. Results of objective and subjective evaluations demonstrate that for voice conversion, sound sources with various spectral envelopes and power in a large degree are acceptable unless the power of them is comparable to that of silence parts. Index Terms: speaking aid, laryngectomees, sound sources, voice conversion

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