Overview

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the new Blom-Singer SpeakFree disposable hands free valve heat and moisture exchanger (HME). The investigators will compare the SpeakFree to other modalities of stomal occlusion (digital occlusion and digital depression of an HME) for patients who communicate with a voice prosthesis as determined by patient preference and satisfaction. In addition, the investigators will compare the SpeakFree to other modalities of stomal occlusion as determined by objective measures of speech and voice parameters (maximum phonation time, syllables per breath, minimum/maximum phonation pressures, and a clinician rating of voice quality using a visual analog scale).

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants who have undergone a total laryngectomy who have and use a voice prosthesis as their primary form of communication for at least 3 months prior to study enrollment.
• Participants must have had at least 2 voice prosthesis management visits from a speech pathologist at the University of Miami prior to study enrollment.
• Participants must have fully healed suture lines.
• Participants must demonstrate fluent tracheoesophageal speech (i.e., maximum phonation time of at least 5 seconds during 3 consecutive trials)
• Current HME use for a minimum of 1 month
• Participants willing to complete the survey and provide a signed Informed Consent Form
• Males and non-pregnant females over the age of 18

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants who do not have a voice prosthesis.
• Participants who have dysarthria.
• Participants who are currently receiving treatment for head and neck cancer.
• Participants who have an underlying neurologic condition potentially impacting speech.