The electrolarynx: voice restoration after total laryngectomy The ability to speak and communicate with one's voice is a unique human characteristic and is fundamental to many activities of daily living, such as talking on the phone and speaking to loved ones. When the larynx is removed during a total laryngectomy (TL), loss of voice can lead to a devastating decrease in a patient's quality of life, and precipitate significant frustration over their inability to communicate with others effectively. Over the past 50 years there have been many advances in techniques of voice restoration after TL. Currently, there are three main methods of voice restoration: the electrolarynx, esophageal speech, and tracheoesophageal speech through a tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) with voice prosthesis
Generating Tonal Distinctions in Mandarin Chinese Using an Electrolarynx with Preprogrammed Tone Patterns An electrolarynx (EL) is a valuable rehabilitative option for individuals who have undergone laryngectomy, but current monotone ELs do not support controlled variations in fundamental frequency for producing tonal languages. The present study examined the production and perception of Mandarin
Electrolarynx for Enabling Communication in the CHrOnically Critically Ill (EECCHO) All critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation experience a period of inability to speak due to the need for cuffed endotracheal or tracheostomy tubes. Consequences of the inability to speak include: significant emotional distress; unrecognized pain; sleeplessness; increased use of restraints, self critically ill. The Electrolarynx was recently shown to be effective in establishing communication in a case study of an intubated patient. Despite the well-recognized deleterious consequences of speech incapacity, few studies have evaluated communication strategies in the critically ill and no published study has evaluated the Electrolarynx in this patient population.In this study, the investigators aim
, electrolarynx, or augmentative communication devices. ● Long-term voice and swallowing assessment and rehabilitation should be offered for advanced cancer patients treated with organ preservation to address communication needs and treatment-related late effects. Competencies for Speech Language Pathologists ● Full registration status as a Registered Speech-Language Pathologist not require involvement of an otolaryngology-head and neck surgeon. SLP will initiate voice restoration when appropriate, including insertion of tracheoesophageal prosthesis (TEP), use of electrolarynx, or augmentative communication devices. Patients who elect for alaryngeal voice will receive education and training in these techniques. Speech and swallowing will be assessed and treated as needed
listener judgments of speech acceptability, but not listener comfort. Further, the data suggest that speech acceptability and listener comfort might address unique perceptual entities. Overall, the strong relationship between these auditory-perceptual dimensions provide support for the use of scaled measurements to assess the impact of speech rehabilitation on individuals who use the electrolarynx.
. * * Nutritionist: Malnutrition is common at presentation and worsens following surgery, radiation, or both. At diagnosis, obtain nutritional evaluation and recommendations for ongoing nutrition support and follow-up. * * Speech/swallowing therapist: Specialists in this field should direct rehabilitation for speech and swallowing function. This can include training in electrolarynx use following
. * * Nutritionist: Malnutrition is common at presentation and worsens following surgery, radiation, or both. At diagnosis, obtain nutritional evaluation and recommendations for ongoing nutrition support and follow-up. * * Speech/swallowing therapist: Specialists in this field should direct rehabilitation for speech and swallowing function. This can include training in electrolarynx use following
psychological well being. Consequently, advanced-stage laryngeal cancer creates a surgical dilemma, pitting the principles of oncologically sound resection against organ preservation. TL is an effective, albeit definitive removal of the larynx. Patients who undergo TL must also undergo voice rehabilitation with a prosthesis, electrolarynx, or esophageal speech. However, advances in partial laryngeal surgery
. * * Nutritionist: Malnutrition is common at presentation and worsens following surgery, radiation, or both. At diagnosis, obtain nutritional evaluation and recommendations for ongoing nutrition support and follow-up. * * Speech/swallowing therapist: Specialists in this field should direct rehabilitation for speech and swallowing function. This can include training in electrolarynx use following
are used for patients who cannot achieve adequate sound conduction on the skin. A small tube is placed toward the posterior oral cavity, and the generated sound is then articulated. The tube has minimal effect on articulatory accuracy if the patient is taught properly and learns to use it well. A third type of electrolarynx has been developed using an electromyograph (EMG) transducer in the strap muscles to activate a sound source for hands-free use. [3] * * Advantages: Voice restoration after surgery is immediate, and the maintenance for the electrolarynx is minimal (may last 2-10 y). * * Disadvantages: The voice quality sounds mechanical. Tracheoesophageal speechSee the list below: * * Principle: A surgical fistula is created in the wall separating the trachea and esophagus
of laryngeal cancer. Total laryngectomy results in the complete loss of voice (aphonia). Options for the restoration of speech following laryngectomy are detailed below. [17] External prosthetic devices for speech restoration include the following: * * Electrolarynx - This device may be placed either into the oral cavity or through the neck tissue to introduce a vibratory tone into the mouth and pharynx ]. 18. Kaye R, Tang CG, Sinclair CF. The electrolarynx: voice restoration after total laryngectomy. Med Devices (Auckl). 2017. 10:133-40. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text]. 19. Northam GB, Liégeois F, Chong WK, Baker K, Tournier JD, Wyatt JS, et al. Speech and Oromotor Outcome in Adolescents Born Preterm: Relationship to Motor Tract Integrity. J Pediatr. 2011 Oct 12. [QxMD MEDLINE Link
. * * Nutritionist: Malnutrition is common at presentation and worsens following surgery, radiation, or both. At diagnosis, obtain nutritional evaluation and recommendations for ongoing nutrition support and follow-up. * * Speech/swallowing therapist: Specialists in this field should direct rehabilitation for speech and swallowing function. This can include training in electrolarynx use following
of laryngeal cancer. Total laryngectomy results in the complete loss of voice (aphonia). Options for the restoration of speech following laryngectomy are detailed below. [17] External prosthetic devices for speech restoration include the following: * * Electrolarynx - This device may be placed either into the oral cavity or through the neck tissue to introduce a vibratory tone into the mouth and pharynx ]. 18. Kaye R, Tang CG, Sinclair CF. The electrolarynx: voice restoration after total laryngectomy. Med Devices (Auckl). 2017. 10:133-40. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text]. 19. Northam GB, Liégeois F, Chong WK, Baker K, Tournier JD, Wyatt JS, et al. Speech and Oromotor Outcome in Adolescents Born Preterm: Relationship to Motor Tract Integrity. J Pediatr. 2011 Oct 12. [QxMD MEDLINE Link
of laryngeal cancer. Total laryngectomy results in the complete loss of voice (aphonia). Options for the restoration of speech following laryngectomy are detailed below. [17] External prosthetic devices for speech restoration include the following: * * Electrolarynx - This device may be placed either into the oral cavity or through the neck tissue to introduce a vibratory tone into the mouth and pharynx ]. 18. Kaye R, Tang CG, Sinclair CF. The electrolarynx: voice restoration after total laryngectomy. Med Devices (Auckl). 2017. 10:133-40. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text]. 19. Northam GB, Liégeois F, Chong WK, Baker K, Tournier JD, Wyatt JS, et al. Speech and Oromotor Outcome in Adolescents Born Preterm: Relationship to Motor Tract Integrity. J Pediatr. 2011 Oct 12. [QxMD MEDLINE Link