A subvocal processor was a speech-regulating device implanted in some Borg drones. When the USS Voyager first encountered the adolescent Borg Icheb in 2376, his subvocal processor was malfunctioning, causing his speech to sound hollow and partially garbled. Seven of Nine made a minor adjustment to correct the problem, despite First having been told by their leader that the malfunction could not be repaired until he rejoined the Borg Collective. (VOY: "Collective")