General Speech Aid Instructions and Troubleshooting
TruTone™ Speech Aid Instructions
SolaTone™ Speech Aid Instructions
 

Table of Contents
  Introduction
  Accessories and Equipment
  General Speech Aid Use
  Adjusting Sound Head
  Adjusting Volume
  Adjusting Pitch
  Using the Pressure Sensitive Button
  Batteries
  Limited Warranty

Introduction
     The TruTone™ speech aid was designed to produce an
excellent  voice while still providing convenience, durability and
adaptability.  Using its pressure sensitive button you will be able
to add a natural quality, intonation, to your voice.  As it helps
you sound good, the TruTone™ speech aid is also focused on
accommodating the needs of your life.  It is small and
lightweight, runs on 9 volt batteries, is made of high-impact
materials, and can be adjusted to fit almost any need.  Please
read the following instructions carefully to get the most from
your new and advanced TruTone™ Electronic Speech Aid.
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Accessories and Equipment
The TruTone™ Electronic Speech Aid
1.   Pitch Adjusting Screwdriver
2.   Battery Charger
3.   Two 9 Volt Style Rechargeable Batteries
4.   Oral Adapter and Oral Straws
5.   Warranty Registration Card (Complete and return within 90
     days to validate your warranty)
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General Speech Aid Use
     The TruTone™ speech aid may be used as a neck type speech
aid, or with an oral adapter.  When used on the neck, the
vibrations from the head travel through the neck tissue and into
the mouth where they are modulated into speech.  Best results
may be achieved with practice, and by finding the best position
on the neck for clear and audible speech.
     The oral adapter may be used when it is preferred, or when
neck style use does not work well.  The rubber oral cap is placed
over the head of the speech aid, and the end of an oral straw is
placed in the hole at the end of the oral adapter.  The straw is
then placed in the mouth where, when activated, the vibrations
are modulated into speech.  We recommend consulting a speech
pathologist for more detailed instruction of speech aid use.
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Adjusting Sound Head Gap
     Adjusting the sound head gap of your speech aid can have a
great impact on the quality and volume of voice produced.
Adjusting the sound head gap is achieved by screwing the head
of the instrument closer to the body at lower volumes, or further
away from the body at higher volumes.  First set your volume,
and then adjust the sound head until the sound produced is clear
and loud.  At most high and medium level volumes the sound
head gap needs to be a little less than 1/8 inch.  (See picture on
reverse side of instructions.)
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Adjusting Volume
     Volume is controlled with the thumb-wheel placed next to the
pressure sensitive button.  The volume control turns easily, so do
not try to turn it further then where it stops naturally, as
excessive force may break it!  Turning the wheel toward the
button will increase volume.  Turning the wheel away from the
button will decrease volume.
     Remember to adjust the sound head gap once you have
selected your preferred volume level.  While you do not have
to do this every time you change volume, it will make a great
difference in voice quality.
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Adjusting Base Tone and Pressure Sensitivity
     Unscrew the battery cap of your TruTone™ speech aid and
look inside the body.  Base tone and sensitivity adjustments are
located next to the battery contacts as shown.
                      Base Tone                        Sensitivity
                        -W+                                  -W+
                         Ö                                          Ö
 
 

             Clockwise Counterclockwise
           to Decrease    to Inncrease

     Base Tone is your lowest chosen tone, and is achieved with
a light pressure applied to the button. Use the screw-driver
provided and turn the adjustment counter clockwise to increase
tone, or clockwise to decrease.  This adjustment turns easily,
and excessive force or prying may damage your instrument.
Set the base tone to your most preferred level.
     Sensitivity determines how much the tone will change when
you increase pressure on the button.  Increasing or decreasing
sensitivity is adjusted in the same way as adjusting base tone.
A less sensitive setting is easier to control, while a more
sensitive setting gives a wider vocal range.  If necessary,
sensitivity may be turned almost off, and the TruTone™
speech aid may be operated as a single tone instrument.
    Note that the adjustment screws do not have a stop. This
means that once you have turned the screw a full turn, it will
jump in tone. If you are decreasing the tone, and turn the screw
too far, it will suddenly jump to a high tone. Simply turn the
screw back a little. This feature prevents the adjustment from
being broken by over-turning it.
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Using Pressure Sensitive Tone Control
     Only one button is required to activate and change the tone
of the TruTone™  speech aid.  By increasing and decreasing
pressure on the button you will be able to add intonation to
your speech.  The following steps will help you get started.
1.   Press the on/off button lightly to activate your base tone.
2.   Increase pressure slightly to increase the tone.  Decrease
     the pressure to come back down to your base tone.
3.   Change pressure with each word and syllable.  Increase
     pressure at the end of a question, or for emphasis.
4.   Press only as hard as personal health and comfort allows.
5.   Decrease the sensitivity setting if the speech aid tone
     seems to  swing  up and down uncontrollably.
6.   Increase the sensitivity setting if your voice seems to drone
     in a flat monotone.
     Even if you do not consciously utilize the pressure sensitive
tone control you may achieve some fluidity in your voice with
small, natural, changes in pressure.  You may also find that your
voice raises when you get excited and squeeze harder.
Some Basic Practice
Try increasing pressure and raising your voice on the capitalized
letters with up arrows, and coming back down to the base tone
on the small case letters with down arrows.  Turn your
TruTone™ speech aid off momentarily at the dashed pauses.

hi  THERE.  --  how  are  YOU?
I’m  FINE,  --  THANK you.
I’d LIKE  --  po TA toes  and  GRA vy  --  PLEASE

Now try saying your name using intonation.  See the difference!
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Your TruTone™ Electronic Speech Aid
 
 

       Sound Head 

 
Sound Head/Body Gap
Pressure Sensitive
   On/Off Button
 
Volume Knob
 

       Battery Cap
 
 
 
 
 

Batteries and Charger
     The TruTone™ speech aid comes with two 8.4 volt
rechargeable NiCad batteries.  You may also use good quality
disposable 9 volt style alkaline batteries.  Do not use damaged,
poor quality, or defective batteries in your speech aid!
     To install batteries in your speech aid, unscrew the battery
cap and fit the positive battery post into the small battery
contact hole.  Next, replace the battery cap, making sure that
the threads line up and the battery cap turns back on smoothly.
     The battery charger may be plugged into a standard 110 volt
AC wall outlet.  Drain batteries until speech aid volume begins
to fade out before recharging.  After draining, charge batteries
for a full 16-18 hours.  Failure to drain your batteries, or
under/over charging, will damage your batteries.

Note: DO NOT plug 9 volt alkaline or other disposable
batteries into the battery charger, as this may result in an
explosion!

Additional Notes and Troubleshooting
        Clean by wiping the outside of your speech aid with a
     damp cloth.  Do not allow liquids or cleaners to enter the
     speech aid openings.  Oils, Electrical Contact Cleaners,
     Harsh Chemicals, or Sprays may damage the speech aid.
     Do not immerse your speech aid in water or any other
     liquids.  If it is accidentally immersed, remove the caps
     from the body and allow the speech aid to air dry for 1-2
     days before testing.
        If a low volume or muffled sound is experienced try
     adjusting the sound head gap.  If the sound head gap
     seems properly adjusted, test your speech aid with a fresh,
     high quality, 9 volt style alkaline battery.
        If excessive buzzing is experienced, make sure the head
     is in full contact with your neck, try different positions on
     your neck, lower the volume, adjust the sound head gap,
     or use the oral adapter.
        Decrease sensitivity if the tone of your speech aid drifts
     or  warbles  uncontrollably
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Limited Warranty & Service Commitment
     Griffin Laboratories warrants the TruTone™ speech aid to
be free of defects in parts and workmanship for two (2) years
from the date of purchase.  Rechargeable batteries, charger,
and other accessories provided with the TruTone™ speech aid
are guaranteed for sixty (60) days from the date of purchase.
Items under warranty coverage will be repaired or replaced at
the discretion of Griffin Laboratories.
     Griffin Laboratories will repair or replace  up to two (2)
times any speech aid with a valid warranty for damage caused
by impact,  immersion in water, or moisture damage.  The
warranty does not cover more than two (2) repairs or
replacements for damage caused by impact, immersion in
water, or moisture damage.  The warranty does not cover
abuse, negligence, soiling, use inconsistent with intended
purposes, or tampering of any kind.  All other warranties,
expressed or implied, are hereby excluded.  Griffin
Laboratories shall not be held liable for damages, either direct,
indirect, or consequential, resulting from any defect or the
operation of the TruTone™ speech aid, included batteries, and
accessories.
     To validate warranty coverage, complete and return the
enclosed warranty card to Griffin Laboratories within ninety (90)
days of purchase from an authorized distributor.  This warranty
is non-transferable.
     Our Service Commitment is to complete any covered service
required on a TruTone™ speech aid within three (3) business
days of delivery to our factory.  Speech aids requiring more than
three business days to service and deposit with a delivery service
for return to the customer will be accompanied by a free
rechargeable battery.
     Contact Griffin Laboratories at 800-330-5969 to obtain service
and/or return authorization and packing instructions.  Include
your name, address, and phone number with all packages.
Griffin Laboratories will provide return shipping within the
United States.
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You can send Griffin Laboratories email using our  E-mail Form, or Call us at 1-800-330-5969