The success of restoring vocal communication in total laryngectomees has improved significantly after the introduction of the trachea-oesophageal puncture (TEP) and insertion of voice prosthesis (VP) as first described by Singer and Blom in 1980; the procedure has progressively gained popularity to be universally recognised as a routine procedure for speech restoration after total laryngectomy ...

A system for producing synthetic speech which incorporates vocal emotion effects has been developed. This has been incorporated into a communication prosthesis for non-vocal people to give them more freedom of expression via a synthetic voice. A range of common emotions can be simulated by the system.

INTRODUCTION Since the introduction of tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) and placement of voice prosthesis, this has become the method of choice to achieve speech rehabilitation after total laryngectomy. OBJECTIVE To compare the complications and success in speech rehabilitation of patients undergoing rehabilitation after primary and secondary TEP (TEP1 and TEP2) through a systematic review. ...

Total laryngectomy, as a consequence of carcinoma of the larynx, results in loss of speech function. Cerebrovascular stroke is the leading cause of reduced speech production ability, and thereby communication difficulties. The case is presented of a 60-year-old male patient who suffered stroke five years after a total laryngectomy. Speech rehabilitation was hampered due to the depressive state ...

OBJECTIVES To assess the long-term results of the Provox ActiValve, a prosthesis for voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy that was designed to lessen the need for frequent replacements caused by Candida and "underpressure." PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective assessment of device lifetime, indications for replacement, voice quality, and maintenance issues, measured by a structured tri...

The voice prosthesis is today the most widely used and accepted method of voice restoration following total laryngectomy. Fortunately, the cases in which it is necessary to temporarily or definitively close the fistula are rare (request of the patient, leakage from the fistula, aspiration pneumonia). Herein, an analysis is made of these cases and the surgical technique personally developed for ...

A total laryngectomy changes the anatomy and physiology of the vocal tract, with a most noticeable effect on speech. By applying a voice prosthesis, enabling the patient to use tracheoesophageal (TE) speech, speech is of better quality than with esophageal or electrolarynx speech, but still very deviant from laryngeal speech. Most studies on TE speech have focused on voice quality. For the unde...

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Total laryngectomy leads to pulmonary problems such as excessive sputum production, forced expectoration and increased coughing. The use of a heat and moisture exchanger (Provox(®) HME) reduces these symptoms. The aim of this study was to quantify chronic adherence to HME use in laryngectomized patients. METHODS A prospective study of 115 patients laryngectomized at...

This study investigated whether trachea pressures during brass instrument play of laryngectomised patients are within the range of those measured during tracheoesophageal voicing, and whether application of an automatic speaking valve can 'free' both hands to play a brass instrument. Objective assessment of voicing and music playing parameters was carried out in 2 laryngectomised patients with ...

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 inabi...