The International Association of Laryngectomees

Esophageal speech is generally recognized as the most difficult speech to achieve proficiency in. Being able to achieve volume, clarity, and complete sentences on very little air is the main goal. Esophageal voicing usually requires more patience and practice than TEP or AL speech. The biggest advantage is you are hands free, battery free, and need relatively little maintenance and yeast production and nystatin that is needed with AL or TEP speech is not often a concern with ES Speech. I started post operation communication by using a Servox Electro Larynx, given to me at Mass Genral in Boston. At first using it on my neck was not an option due to the post op swelling and the forty plus staples holding me together. My voice became quite clear using my EL interorally (with the oral adapter and soft clear plastic tubing). Most people use the EL on their neck after the swelling subsides. I never stopped using the oral adapter until the day I heard a tape made by Edmund Lauder an esophageal speaker who spoke so clearly that I decided right then and there that I was going to attempt to try me best to master that voice. There are sounds that you can make with little or no air. The c cay sound combined with the k in cake, can be said with almost zero air out put from the mouth. Another word used to start speaking ES uses the ch sound as in the word Scotch. You use your lips, teeth, and importantly your tongue to make those sounds and say those words. Once you prime the pump you want to continue building your vocabulary and volume. There are books and SLP'S (speech language Pathologists) available nation wide to help you get and maintain the clearest, loudest and smoothest delivery possible using this method. Many hospitals hand out the Blue book, or the Laryngectomee Bible written by the late Edmund Lauder and edited by his surviving son Jim Lauder.I used this book and its many phrases to help better perfect my ES Voice. I also received help and guidance from Student SLP'S at the Department of Communication disorders at Southern Connecticut State University. Using ES is not a universal option for many larries, sometimes due to the severity of their operation, sometimes the effort to constantly practice becomes overwhelmling, and some patients never achieve the volume or smooth delivery, that they demand of them selves. I suggest learning to use it well enough so if they lose their machine, the battery dies or the Tep loses its seal or fills with phlegm they are not left totally speechless. I also am a proponent that an ES or TEP speaker have an AL at their disposal as a back up to their preferred speaking method. I am sure you will find much more detailed info on Esophageal coming here soon. Don't be afraid of asking a stupid question, there is no such thing, and we have a talent pool to draw on to answer most any question you may have.At times on personal level questions we may direct you to Web Whispers archieves that have a twelve year historical archived library that can and will be happy to give you one on advice and there is also the 200 club Forum that seems to focus on important issues of the day and general info to the community as a whole. Bob H

Hi Bob,
Good message for Learning Esophageal Speech, though it is a bit difficult but NOT IMPOSSIBLE, as it is said if there is a WILL THERE IS A WAY. (though not all Larys qualify for Esophageal Speech, due to health, medical reason)

Suggest if Larys speaking Esophageal Speech for more than 10 years, and the SLP's having experience for more than 10years, teaching, guiding, practicing with Larys should come to this form and exchange their experience and views, as this could be helpful to Larys.

Suggest that IAL, contact Japanese Organization Asian Federation of Laryngectomee Association, and ask them How the Japaneses Lary go on with Esophageal Speech, and do they have some printed booklet, video/cds/dvds?

Hope this forums will go further for exchange of information related to Esophageal Speech
Noor Ali (Lary of 2001)
Karachi-Pakistan