THE BLOM-SINGER TRACHEOSTOMA VALVE AS A VALUABLE ADDITION IN THE REHABILITATION OF THE LARYNGECTOMIZED PATIENT

Prosthesis-assisted tracheo-esophageal speech has proven its value in post-laryngectomy voice rehabilitation, although manual occlusion of t he tracheostoma during speech is necessary. In contrast a tracheostoma valve enables hands-free speech. We have now had experience with 30 p atients using the Blom-Singer tracheostoma valve for more than 6 month s and have found that most patients prefer prosthesis-assisted speech with the tracheostoma valve. Measurement of several speech parameters with digital and valve occlusion of the tracheostoma did not show any significant differences between the two speaking conditions. Problems included maintenance of an airtight seal, outward forcing of the valve diaphragm during forced expiration and subjective increased airflow r esistance.