How to Talk After a Laryngectomy

It all happened so fast: One week ago you used your nose and mouth to breathe. Your voice was used to communicate with your family and friends. Now, your larynx has been removed. You no longer use your nose or mouth to breathe, and when you open your mouth to make a sound--nothing comes out. Everything has changed.

You're tired of playing charades; people seem to only understand half of the things you tell them. You can write things down, but that doesn't seem to help when a loved one is across the miles. You desperately want to communicate and socialize again, but you're not exactly sure what your options are for communication after a laryngectomy.

If you want to speak again, you can and will. With the assistance of a speech therapist, you can learn how to talk after a laryngectomy. You've already lost your larynx to Cancer--don't let Cancer take your voice forever, too.

You're a survivor. You're a winner. Now it's time to take your life back and learn how to talk after a laryngectomy.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Consider an electrolarynx. When placed against the throat, the electrolarynx transmits vibrations into words and sounds (see Resources below). Like any other device, the elctrolarynx has both benefits and drawbacks. While it is medically safe, easy to use and relatively inexpensive, it produces a mechanical-sounding voice. Additionally, it operates on batteries which require frequent changing.

2. Ask your speech therapist about esophageal speech. Although it is a very difficult skill to master, a person can use their esophagus to produce speech. A patient must learn how to pump air from the mouth into the upper esophagus (see Resources below). The esophagus expands slightly; air is then passed as a gas (belch) back through the mouth. As the air passes through the mouth, the patient moves his mouth to articulate words.

3. Find out if you're a candidate for a voice prosthesis. In addition to cost, a voice prosthesis requires regular maintenance. It also requires a time commitment with a speech therapist. Nevertheless, a laryngectomy patient may opt for a voice prosthesis because he can achieve a more natural-sounding voice. There are three popular manufacturers of voice prostheses: Blom-Singer, Provox and VoiceMaster (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your doctor if you are a candidate for a voice prosthesis.
• Call your insurance company to find out if it will cover the cost of an electrolarynx or voice prosthesis.
• Try to focus on the positive aspects of a speech device; soon you'll be able to communicate with friends and family.
• If you are a patient over 70 years of age, you be not be a suitable candidate for a voice prosthesis.
• Patients who have poor manual dexterity (e.g., severe rheumatoid arthritis, amputations, or deformities of the upper extremities) may be considered poor candidates for a voice prosthesis.

Resources

• Electrolarynx Speech Samples & Information
• Voice Rehabilitation Options
• How to Take Care of a Post Operative Laryngectomy Patient