speech post-laryngectomy

Last reviewed 01/2018

Speech after laryngectomy may be achieved by any of:

• artificial devices - usually battery powered - which cause vibration of air in the oral cavity or the pharynx

• oesophageal speech - regurgitating air into the pharynx and using this as a source for articulation

• tracheo-oesophageal speech - a small channel with a one way valve is created in the tracheostome that allows exhaled air to pass into into the pharynx when the patient covers the tracheostome with their finger. An example is the Blom-Singer valve