The (Gender Dysphoria) Voice Therapy Tool
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB - RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB, Umeå |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 957 882 |
| Project duration | November 2019 - January 2021 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Digital health |
Important results from the project
The project’s aim was to develop a digital tool for gender affirming voice training. The targeted users was speech therapists and individuals in need of gender affirmative voice training. Initated by Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) in collaboration with Umeå University and Region Västerbotten. The idea was to develop a tool that could give visual feedback for voice, ease communication between speech therapist and patient and work as a support in the training between sessions. It should also work without speech therapist contact, as well as a support after finished treatment.
Expected long term effects
The project resulted in a testable web app with integrated voice exercises, tools (visualization, recording etc.), personal profile as well as a progression overview. The app can be reached online and be used on smart phones and after producing a prototype it was tested by 38 of the target user group. From the test it was learned that the app could help and ease the voice training and work as a support between sessions. We also learned that the need for such a tool is great and therefore it is RISE ambition to bring it forward into future projects.
Approach and implementation
The project was implemented through four phases: In Phase 1 ideas where generated, sketching, discussions with partners and a workshop with the user group formed the basis. In Phase 2 ideas where concretized, the most relevant and duable where implemented into a testable prototype. The app was developed for web environment suited for smart phones. In Phase 3 a user test was conducted. It was conducted digitally. The final phase the results of the user test where compiled, these will work as the base for future development of the app.