Esophagea speech, although it is difficult to learn, is one of the ideal voice rehabilitation methods following total laryngectomy. The authors evaluated the possible factors in learning to use the esophageal voice and evaluated the
intelligibility of
esophageal speech by logopedic and phoniatric characteristics in 46 laryngectomees.
High success rate (63.0%) was apparent in patients with wide residual pharyngeal mucosa (p<0.05), pharyngeal neurectomy (p>0.05), and success in air insufflation test (p<0.05). However, in cases of old age, in hypopharyngeal cancer patients and
those
who underwent neck dissection the success rates were poor, therefore a second choice of voice rehabilitation such as voice prosthesis is recommended.
The most intelligible consonant in the manner of articulation was nasals (55.0%) and the least one was fricative (22.8%) (p<0.05). However, the mean intelligibilities of consonant in the place of articulation were similar in various consonants.
To
improve the low intelligible consonants, esophageal speakers should practice increasing the volume of air inhalation, in addition to practicing the pronounciation. (Korean J Otolaryngol 38:12, 1995)
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