We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/Script ((PLAYBOOK SLUG: LogOn: Voice Restoration App
HEADLINE: LogOn: AI Helps People with Voice Disorders Speak More Clearly
TEASER: Converting vocal cord-impaired speech into a user’s natural voice in real time
PUBLISHED: 02/20/2024 AT 8AM
BYLINE: Julie Taboh
CONTRIBUTOR: Tina Trinh
DATELINE: Las Vegas, Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER: Tina Trinh, Zoom, Whispp
VIDEO EDITOR: Adam Greenbaum
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Stearns
SCRIPT EDITORS: Stearns; caw
VIDEO SOURCE (S): Original VOA, Zoom, Whispp, AP
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 01:54 and 02:00
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVR
EDITOR NOTES: A regular, feature version of this story was released on January 26, 2024))
((INTRO)) [[Groundbreaking AI-assisted technology can help people with voice disorders to speak in their natural voice, giving millions of people a chance to have clearer conversations. VOA’s Julie Taboh has more in this week’s episode of LogOn.]]
((NATS – Joris Castermans whispering into microphone: “And I’m whispering…”))
((NARRATOR))
Joris Castermans ((YOUR-is cahster-mahns)) has a slight stutter.
((Joris Castermans, Whispp Founder and CEO)) ((Zoom))
“I'm a a a light stutterer...”
((Radio track: He told VOA in an interview via Zoom))
((NARRATOR))
But like many people who stutter, when he whispers…
((Joris Castermans, Whispp Founder and CEO))
“Can you hear my whisper…”
((NARRATOR))
… his speech is fluent and flawless.
((Joris Castermans, Whispp Founder and CEO)) ((Zoom))
“Because when you are whispering, you don't use your vocal cords.”
((NARRATOR))
This explains why people with severe stutters can reduce their stuttering frequency by as much as 85 percent while whispering.
That amazing fact inspired Castermans ((cahster-mahns)) to develop Whispp; an AI-assisted voice technology and calling app,
((Courtesy: Whispp))
that can empower people with severe stutters and voice disorders to speak more clearly.
((Courtesy: Whispp))
One of those people is George Coster, who has vocal cord paralysis.
((NATS – George Coster: “Since then, I speak like this…” in a whisper))
But thanks to Whispp technology, Coster was able to hear his old, healthy voice again.
((NATS – George Coster: “Hello, my name is George Coster…”))
((NATS – George Coster: “I never heard my own voice!”))
((Courtesy: Whispp))
((NARRATOR))
Users can choose to personalize their Whispp voice with in-app recordings or use recordings from their past healthy voice.
((NATS – Ruud van Noorden speaks with distorted voice))
((Courtesy: Whispp))
Ruud ((root)) van Noorden has undergone a total laryngectomy, which is a surgery to remove his voice box.
But Whispp’s advanced AI technology,
((NATS – Ruud van Noorden speaks with normal voice))
breathes life into his voice, allowing him to speak in his old, natural voice, in real time.
((Courtesy: Whispp))
Users like van Noorden can also make in-app phone and video calls.
((Joris Castermans, Whispp Founder and CEO)) ((Zoom))
“The ideal situation is to have a seamless conversation with a flow, without a delay. ((///)) Our big, bold dream would be to have Whispp in each smartphone and laptop worldwide.”
((Courtesy: Whispp))
((NARRATOR))
Castermans says the technology is designed to transform not just speech, but people's quality of life.
((Courtesy: Whispp))
((Nats – “It’s remarkable!”))
((Julie Taboh, VOA News))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
