IN-VIVO MEASUREMENTS OF INDWELLING TRACHEOESOPHAGEAL PROSTHESES IN ALARYNGEAL SPEECH

Over the last 5 years, detailed air pressure, flow and voice measureme nts have been made on indwelling tracheo-oesophageal speaking valves w hilst inserted in patients, using specially designed apparatus. This s tudy was set up to investigate the relationship between speech and in vivo parameters. In vivo pressure measurements were generally lower fo r Groningen low resistance than Groningen high resistance, while flow and voice measurements were higher. A plot of opening pressure against pressure at maximum how for all valves suggested a straight line rela tionship. A graph of maximum voice against composite parameter score f or all valves showed a cluster of points between the composite score o f 0-15. The advances in knowledge about these valves should be of use in the design of improved valves.