I am planning to preserve the voice of a terminally ill patient. Who offers voice banking services?

Yes. Several organizations offer voice banking—recording enough of a person's natural speech to create a personalized synthetic voice for later use with an AAC/speech-generating device. For someone who is terminally ill, starting as soon as possible is important while their voice is still strong.ALS Association+1

Major voice-banking providers

• ModelTalker — A long-established option, particularly suited to people who may need an English-language communication voice. It currently lists a recommended 400 sentences, with more possible for improved quality.ModelTalker+2
• Acapela My-Own-Voice — Requires a relatively small recording set (50 sentences) and supports numerous languages and English variants. It can also incorporate custom messages and, according to the ALS Association, previous recordings can sometimes be used.MND Association+2
• SpeakUnique — Offers conventional voice banking as well as Voice Repair for people whose speech is already impaired, and Voice Design when someone can no longer produce usable speech. It can work from existing recordings in some circumstances.SpeakUnique+2
• The Voice Keeper — Offers a shorter recording process and voices intended for iOS/Android and particular AAC platforms. It supports English, Hebrew and Spanish.MND Association+2
• VOCALiD and CereVoice Me are additional options listed by professional and ALS/MND organizations.RCSLT+1

If the patient has ALS/MND

The ALS Association has a current (March 2026) voice-preservation guide comparing Acapela, SpeakUnique, Voice Keeper, ModelTalker and AI-based ElevenLabs cloning. It recommends working with the person's ALS clinic speech-language pathologist (SLP) or assistive-technology specialist when selecting a service.ALS Association

For people in the U.S. with an ALS diagnosis, Team Gleason can provide guidance and funding for voice/message banking; the ALS Association says eligible U.S. patients can receive funding for the voice-banking software.ALS Association

Don't overlook "message banking"

I'd strongly consider doing message banking alongside voice banking. This means recording personally meaningful phrases—names, greetings, jokes, expressions of affection, stories, etc.—in the patient's actual recorded voice. Those recordings can preserve emotional expressions that a synthesized voice may not reproduce well.ALS Association

If you tell me what illness the patient has, what country they're in, whether they can still speak clearly, and what device/phone they ultimately want to use, I can narrow this down to the most relevant services and explain the recording process, approximate time/cost, and funding options.

Preserving a loved one's voice through voice banking (creating a synthetic replica of their natural voice) or message banking (recording specific phrases and audio clips) is a meaningful step. It is best to start as early as possible while the patient's voice is still strong and clear.als.org+1

The primary providers, software options, and platforms offering voice banking and voice cloning services include:

• Acapela Group (Acapela My-Own-Voice): One of the most established industry standards for AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices. It creates a personalized synthetic voice from a recording session that can later be integrated into speech-generating devices.alsnetwork.org
• ModelTalker: A non-profit research-based voice banking system designed specifically to create synthetic voices for people who expect to lose their speaking ability.alsnetwork.org
• The Voicekeeper: A dedicated platform focused on capturing and preserving digital voice replicas ahead of progressive speech loss.enablespeechpathology.com.au
• Apple Personal Voice: Built directly into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, this free accessibility feature allows users to create a highly natural-sounding personal voice by reading a randomized set of text prompts for about 15 minutes. It can be used for live speech integration on Apple devices.als.org+1
• ElevenLabs (via Bridging Partnerships): Known for hyper-realistic AI voice cloning. Organizations like Bridging Voice partner with ElevenLabs to provide free access and technical support for voice cloning licenses specifically for patients facing conditions like ALS and Motor Neuron Disease (MND).als.org+1

Support and Non-Profit Assistance

Voice banking software is often expensive and rarely covered by standard health insurance, but several charitable organizations help cover costs or provide equipment:alsnetwork.org

• Team Gleason: Frequently covers the cost of voice banking software (like Acapela or ModelTalker) for qualifying individuals diagnosed with ALS in the United States.
• The ALS Association: Offers guidance, resource matching, and sometimes loaner USB microphones specifically configured for voice banking.
• Bridging Voice: Provides free, hands-on technical guidance and setup for patients needing help navigating voice cloning technology.als.org+3

Note: It is strongly recommended to connect with a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) at the patient's care clinic, as they can guide the family through the exact technical requirements and file formats needed for the patient's specific communication device.als.org

If you'd like, let me know:

• What diagnosis or medical condition you are planning for
• What devices (computer, iPhone, or specialized communication tablet) the patient currently uses

I can help you narrow down the best platform and check for specific financial or non-profit grants available.

Yes. Voice banking is specifically designed for people who may lose their ability to speak because of ALS/MND, cancer, neurological disease, or another progressive condition. The goal is to create a synthetic version of the person's own voice that can later be used with an AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) device.

Major voice-banking services

• modeltalker.org — A long-established voice-banking service from the University of Delaware. It allows the person to record a prescribed set of sentences and then produces a synthetic voice. Its current listed fee is $100, with financial assistance potentially available.ModelTalker+1
• acapela-group.com — Uses a relatively short recording process; the service currently describes creating a voice from about 50 sentences. It can work with AAC applications/devices.Acapela Group+1
• SpeakUnique — A voice-preservation service that creates a personalized synthetic voice. The ALS Association's current voice-preservation information lists it among the available options.ALS Association+1
• Voice Keeper — Another option listed by the ALS Association, with recordings made through an app and voices intended for particular platforms.ALS Association
• ElevenLabs — Primarily an AI voice-cloning platform rather than a traditional AAC-focused voice-banking service, but the ALS Association now lists it as an option for voice cloning.ALS Association

If the patient is in the U.S.

A particularly useful starting point is Team Gleason. The ALS Association says Team Gleason provides guidance for proactive voice and message banking and, for people in the U.S. with an official ALS diagnosis, can cover the cost of voice-banking software from the listed providers (with the exception of ElevenLabs).ALS Association

The ALS Association also recommends starting as soon as possible, while the person's voice is still relatively strong, and working with an ALS-clinic speech-language pathologist (SLP) or another AAC specialist.ALS Association

One important distinction

There are actually three related approaches:

• Voice banking: creates a synthetic voice that can generate new sentences.
• Message banking: records important phrases in the person's actual voice—e.g., names, greetings, personal expressions—so those recordings can be played back later.
• Voice cloning: newer AI technology can sometimes create a highly realistic replica from existing recordings, which can be particularly useful if conventional voice banking is no longer possible.ALS Association

If this is for someone who is terminally ill and may have only days or weeks of usable speech remaining, I'd prioritize speed: contact an SLP/AAC specialist immediately and simultaneously investigate voice banking + message banking, because even a relatively short recording window can be valuable. Acapela and some newer AI approaches specifically have shortened recording requirements.Acapela Group+1

If you tell me the patient's country/state and diagnosis (e.g., ALS, cancer, Parkinson's, etc.), I can identify the most appropriate providers, current costs, funding options, and the fastest route to get started.

Preserving a loved one's voice is a deeply personal and meaningful step. Because voice banking technology has advanced significantly, there are several dedicated providers and built-in tools available. The right choice depends on the patient's current energy levels, how fast their voice is changing, and what devices they plan to use.als.org+2

Dedicated Voice Banking Providers

• Acapela Group (My-Own-Voice) : A widely used commercial service that creates a personalized digital voice. It requires a shorter recording script (around 50 lines) compared to older methods, making it more accessible for someone with lower fatigue.youtube.com+1
• ModelTalker : A research-based, non-profit project out of Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children. It yields a very natural-sounding synthetic voice, but it requires a much longer recording commitment (hundreds to over a thousand phrases) and works best when started early.abilitycentral.org+2
• The Voice Keeper : Known for a streamlined, user-friendly interface that guides users through recording short phrases. It supports integration with various communication devices and apps.youtube.com+1
• SpeakUnique : Offers standard voice banking as well as "voice blending" (combining the patient's changing voice with existing donor voices) or creating a voice from older archival audio recordings if the patient has already lost much of their speech.abilitycentral.org+1
• ElevenLabs : Increasingly utilized alongside organizations like Bridging Voice for rapid AI voice cloning. They offer high-realism voice models, though you should check with patient advocacy groups regarding medical-device compatibility.als.org+1

Built-In & Free Options

• Apple Personal Voice : If the patient uses a compatible Apple device (iPhone 12 or later, iPad, or Mac running recent software), Apple has a built-in feature called Personal Voice . It guides the user through a 15-minute randomized recording script directly on the device and integrates seamlessly with Live Speech for phone calls and face-to-face communication. It is completely free.support.apple.com+4

Important Tips & Financial Assistance

• Act Quickly : It is vital to start recording as early as possible before fatigue sets in or speech starts to slur.als.org+1
• Check for Grants/Support : Many private insurance plans and Medicare do not cover the out-of-pocket costs of commercial voice banking. However, non-profits like Team Gleason or disease-specific organizations (such as the ALS Association or MND Association ) frequently offer financial assistance, grants, or free licenses to cover these exact vendor fees.mndassociation.org+3

If you'd like, let me know:

• What device or operating system the patient primarily uses (iPhone, Windows PC, dedicated eye-gaze/AAC device)
• What specific condition or diagnosis you are working with

I can help narrow down which provider offers the best compatibility and support.

Several specialized organizations and technology platforms offer voice banking and voice cloning services to preserve a person’s unique voice before speech loss occurs.teamgleason.org+2

Because the process requires clear audio recordings, it is strongly recommended to begin as early as possible while the patient's voice is strongest.

Major Voice Banking and Synthesis Providers

Provider	Core Focus / Specialty	Typical Requirements / Notes
Acapela (My-Own-Voice)	Creates a personalized synthetic voice using a web-based recording interface.	Requires a computer, microphone, and a quiet room; takes around a couple of hours of recording time.
ModelTalker	Non-profit service run by the Nemours Speech Research Laboratory.	Higher quality, but often requires a larger volume of recorded phrases. Cost-effective (~$100).
The Voice Keeper	Streamlined platform to build a synthetic digital voice from uploaded audio or direct recording.	Works with various recording lengths and integrates smoothly with communication apps.
ElevenLabs	Advanced AI voice cloning technology capable of cloning a voice with shorter audio samples.	Often paired with organizations like Bridging Voice or specialized medical centers providing pro licenses.
Apple Personal Voice	Built-in iOS feature allowing users to create a synthetic voice locally on supported Apple devices.	Convenient for users embedded in the Apple ecosystem; runs a text-to-speech prompt sequence directly on-device.

Support Organizations and Advocacy Groups

Non-profit organizations often provide guidance, grants, or financial coverage for patients needing assistance with voice banking software and equipment:mndassociation.org+2

• Team Gleason : Assists patients (particularly those with ALS and neurodegenerative conditions) in navigating and funding voice and message banking options.teamgleason.org+1
• The ALS Association : Provides critical resources, equipment checklists, and coordination for early voice preservation.
• Specialized Clinics : Major medical centers (such as specialized augmentative communication programs) can sometimes facilitate direct in-clinic recording, AI cloning licensing, and device installation.youralsguide.com+1

If you'd like, I can:

Provide a step-by-step checklist on how to prepare the recording environment Explain the difference between traditional voice banking vs. AI voice cloning Help find an organization or grant program based on the patient's specific diagnosis

Yes. If the goal is to preserve a terminally ill person’s voice before they lose the ability to speak, there are several established services. The best choice depends on whether you want a synthetic voice for future communication, recordings of meaningful phrases in the person’s actual voice, or an AI voice clone.

Established voice-banking options

• ModelTalker — A long-established voice-banking service designed specifically for people at risk of losing speech. The person records a set of sentences, which are used to create a personalized synthetic voice for communication devices.ModelTalker+2
• Acapela Group — My-Own-Voice — Lets someone create a digital version of their voice through an online recording process. Its current service advertises relatively short recording requirements and supports multiple languages.Acapela Group+2
• SpeakUnique — Another voice-banking provider used in the motor-neuron-disease/ALS community. The MND Association currently lists it alongside ModelTalker and Acapela as a voice-banking option.MND Association+1
• The Voice Keeper — A voice-preservation service also used for people who may lose their ability to speak. It is included among voice-banking services in ALS communication resources.Susan Mast ALS Foundation

If the person is in the U.S.

The ALS Association has particularly useful current guidance on voice preservation. It distinguishes:

• Voice banking: creates a synthetic voice that can say new sentences.
• Message banking: records important phrases in the person's actual recorded voice—for example, greetings, jokes, names, or "I love you."
• Voice cloning: AI creates a highly accurate digital replica of the person's voice.ALS Association

The Association recommends starting as soon as possible, while the person's voice is still strong. It also recommends working with the person's speech-language pathologist (SLP) or an ALS clinic.ALS Association

One important point

If this is for someone who is already very ill or whose speech is deteriorating, I would not wait. Traditional voice banking requires sufficiently clear speech during recording. However, existing recordings may sometimes be usable, and message banking can preserve the person's actual voice even when a full synthetic voice isn't feasible.MND Association

If you're in the U.S., Team Gleason also provides guidance and financial assistance for voice preservation for people diagnosed with ALS; the ALS Association says its current program covers voice-banking software for eligible U.S. residents with ALS.ALS Association

If you tell me the person's condition (e.g., ALS, cancer, Parkinson's), how much speech they currently have, and what country they're in, I can narrow this down to the 2–3 best services and explain exactly what to record and how to get started.

Several dedicated organizations, software companies, and non-profits offer voice banking services to create a personalized, synthetic replica of a person's voice.teamgleason.org+2

Because progressive illnesses can affect speech unpredictably, experts strongly recommend beginning the recording process as early as possible while the voice is at its strongest.als.org+2

Dedicated Voice Banking & AI Platforms

• Acapela (Acapela MyOwnVoice) : A highly established service used globally. It requires the patient to read about 50 sentences online to generate a digital voice compatible with most major speech-generating communication devices.youtube.com+3
• ElevenLabs : A cutting-edge AI platform providing high-fidelity voice cloning. It captures natural intonation and conversational style with minimal audio samples, making it ideal if the patient fatigues easily.youralsguide.com+3
• SpeakUnique : A service specializing in personalized synthetic voices that offers "voice repair". If the patient’s speech has already begun to change or slurry, they can use older recordings or blend the current voice with a donor voice to reconstruct clarity.youtube.com+3
• The Voice Keeper : Designed to be exceptionally user-friendly, allowing the patient to bank their voice directly using an iPhone or iPad app by reading brief scripts over multiple sessions.youtube.com+1
• ModelTalker : A long-standing, affordable academic system (~$100) that creates high-quality synthetic voices by having the user record a custom array of phrases. It is widely supported by dedicated communication software like Tobii-Dynavox.alsnewstoday.com+3
• Apple Personal Voice : A free, built-in accessibility feature for users with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. It allows the user to record 15 minutes of prompts directly into their device to create a synthetic voice for text-to-speech calls and face-to-face conversations.enablespeechpathology.com.au+3

Financial Support & Non-Profit Assistance

Voice banking can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000 out-of-pocket, and traditional health insurance rarely covers it. However, major non-profits offer full grants for terminally ill patients:forbesaac.com+2

• Team Gleason : A leading ALS non-profit that provides expert guidance and fully funds voice banking fees for eligible patients utilizing platforms like Acapela, SpeakUnique, ElevenLabs, and ModelTalker . They also offer loaner equipment (like high-quality headsets).teamgleason.org+3
• Bridging Voice : A non-profit that offers free comprehensive tech support and has partnered directly with ElevenLabs to provide free AI voice cloning access to individuals facing speech loss.als.org+1

Crucial Strategy: Voice Banking vs. Message Banking

When preserving a voice, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) highly advise doing both of the following simultaneously:teamgleason.org+2

1. Voice Banking (Synthetic) : Creates a digital font of the voice. The user can type any new sentence in the future, and the computer will speak it in their likeness.
2. Message Banking (Natural) : Involves recording actual audio files of highly personal expressions, inside jokes, comforting words, or unique inflections (e.g., "I love you," "Good morning," or even the patient's laugh). These files are stored for free on platforms like myMessageBanking and retain 100% of the patient’s real warmth and emotion.youtube.com+6

To help narrow down the best path forward, could you share:

• What specific diagnosis the patient has? (Certain charities only cover specific conditions like ALS)
• Whether their speech is currently clear or if it has already begun to change?
• What devices (iPhone, Android, PC, iPad) they have available right now?abilitycentral.org+4

Yes. If the goal is to preserve the patient’s natural voice before they lose the ability to speak, there are several established voice-banking services. The best choice depends on how much speech the patient can still produce, the language, and what communication device they may eventually use.

Leading voice-banking options

• Acapela My-Own-Voice — One of the most established options. The current system can create a personalized synthetic voice from a relatively short recording session (50 sentences), making it particularly relevant when the patient has limited stamina. It supports numerous languages and can be used with compatible AAC/speech-generating applications.www.acapela-group.com

• ModelTalker — Specifically designed for people at risk of losing speech because of a medical condition. The patient records a prescribed inventory plus optional personalized material, and the resulting voice can be used with communication devices.modeltalker.org

• SpeakUnique — A voice-banking service particularly used in the ALS/MND community. It is among the services included in current voice-preservation resources and can be used with compatible AAC solutions.www.als.org+1

• The Voice Keeper — Another established voice-banking option, listed alongside Acapela, ModelTalker and SpeakUnique by ALS communication-resource organizations.www.als.org+1

• CereVoice Me — An additional option, particularly for English and several European languages. Current MND Association comparison material lists it as an online voice-banking service.www.mndassociation.org

If the patient is very ill, timing matters

I would start as soon as possible. The ALS Association's current voice-preservation guidance specifically recommends beginning voice and message banking while the person's voice is still strong.www.als.org

There are actually two complementary things worth doing:

1. Voice banking — creates a synthetic version of the person's voice that can speak new sentences typed into an AAC device.
2. Message banking — records important phrases in the person's actual recorded voice, such as names, jokes, greetings, "I love you," or messages to family.www.als.org

If the patient has ALS in the U.S., Team Gleason can be especially helpful: the ALS Association says it provides guidance and can cover the cost of voice-banking software for U.S. residents with an official ALS diagnosis.www.als.org

One important practical point

I'd involve the patient's speech-language pathologist (SLP), ideally one experienced with AAC, before choosing the service. The eventual communication device matters because different banked voices work with different platforms. For example, Tobii Dynavox currently lists compatibility with Acapela, ModelTalker, The Voice Keeper and other voice-banking solutions depending on the device.www.tobiidynavox.com

If you tell me the patient's condition (e.g., ALS, cancer/laryngectomy, neurological disease), country, language, and whether they still have strong speech, I can compare the best 2–4 services for this particular situation, including recording time, cost, equipment, and how quickly the voice can be created.