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Analysis of failure of voice production by a sound-producing voice prosthesis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 March 2006

M van der Torn ,
C D L van Gogh ,
I M Verdonck-de Leeuw ,
J M Festen  and
H F Mahieu
M van der Torn
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
C D L van Gogh
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I M Verdonck-de Leeuw
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
J M Festen
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
H F Mahieu
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Vrije Universiteit Medical Centre, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Abstract

Objective: To analyse the cause of failing voice production by a sound-producing voice prosthesis (SPVP).

Methods: The functioning of a prototype SPVP is described in a female laryngectomee before and after its sound-producing mechanism was impeded by tracheal phlegm. This assessment included: perceptual voice evaluation of read-aloud prose by an expert listener; inspection of the malfunctioning SPVP; and aero-acoustical in vivo registrations using a computer-based data acquisition system.

Results: Sound-producing voice prosthesis speech is higher pitched, stronger, contains less aperiodic noise and requires a lower airflow rate than the patient's regular tracheoesophageal (TE) shunt speech. Tracheal phlegm caused malfunction of the vibrating silicone lip of the SPVP by causing it to stick to its stainless steel container in an opened position, thereby reducing the SPVP to no more than a regular TE shunt valve from a functional point of view. Tracheal phonatory pressure and dynamic vocal intensity range were not affected by the functional status of the SPVP.

Conclusions: To exploit the advantages an SPVP could offer female laryngectomees with an atonic or severely hypotonic pharyngoesophageal segment, the sound-producing mechanism of the SPVP needs to be less vulnerable to tracheal phlegm.

Keywords

LaryngectomyArtificial LarynxVoice ProsthesisAlaryngeal SpeechProsthesis Failure
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 120 , Issue 6 , June 2006 , pp. 455 - 462
Copyright
© 2006 JLO (1984) Limited

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