Our Summary

This study was conducted to understand the clarity of ‘pseudo-whispered speech’ (pseudo-WS), a type of speech produced by some patients who have had their larynx removed, before they undergo speech therapy.

In the study, 20 French speakers were divided into two groups of 10 people each: one group consisted of patients who could only use pseudo-WS after laryngectomy, and the other was a control group who could whisper normally. Both groups were recorded and their speech samples were assessed by three experienced doctors and three untrained listeners.

The listeners were asked to identify specific sounds in the speech samples and rate the clarity, noise, and fluency. Additionally, untrained listeners were asked to take a test on understanding the speech.

The study found that normal whispered speech was easily understood, with high scores in the tests. However, pseudo-WS was found to be difficult to understand, with low scores. The clarity of certain sounds in pseudo-WS was better than others, but overall, the clarity was poor. The research also found that the clarity of speech was closely related to how accurately the speakers made the sounds, but any additional noise or fluency did not affect the clarity.

FAQs

  1. What is ‘pseudo-whispered speech’?
  2. How was the clarity of pseudo-whispered speech assessed in the study?
  3. What were the findings of the study on pseudo-whispered speech and its clarity?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might give a patient who has had a laryngectomy is to practice and focus on clear articulation when speaking using pseudo-whispered speech. By making sure to pronounce each sound accurately, patients can improve the clarity of their speech and make it easier for others to understand them. Additionally, patients may benefit from speech therapy to further improve their communication skills and make the transition to speaking without a larynx smoother.

Suitable For

Patients who have undergone laryngectomy, where their larynx has been removed, are typically recommended for this procedure. This includes patients with laryngeal cancer, severe injury to the larynx, or other conditions that may require the removal of the larynx. After the surgery, patients may have difficulty speaking and may need speech therapy to learn new ways of communicating, such as using pseudo-whispered speech.

Timeline

Before laryngectomy:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms related to their underlying condition, such as difficulty breathing, swallowing, or speaking.
  2. Patient undergoes various tests and consultations to determine the need for a laryngectomy.
  3. Surgery is performed to remove the larynx, typically due to cancer or severe trauma.
  4. Patient may require a temporary tracheostomy to help with breathing post-surgery.

After laryngectomy:

  1. Patient initially communicates through non-verbal means, such as writing or using gestures.
  2. Patient begins speech therapy to learn how to produce speech using methods such as esophageal speech, electrolarynx, or tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP).
  3. Patient practices these techniques to improve their speech clarity and intelligibility.
  4. Patient may experience challenges with speaking, such as fatigue or frustration, as they adjust to their new method of communication.
  5. Over time, with practice and support from a speech therapist, patient is able to effectively communicate using their chosen method of speech production.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is a laryngectomy and why is it necessary?
  2. How will a laryngectomy affect my ability to speak?
  3. What is pseudo-whispered speech and why do some patients use it after a laryngectomy?
  4. What are the potential challenges or limitations of using pseudo-WS for communication?
  5. Are there any strategies or techniques that can improve the clarity of pseudo-WS?
  6. Will I be able to undergo speech therapy to improve my communication skills after a laryngectomy?
  7. How can I best communicate with others if I am using pseudo-WS?
  8. Are there any devices or tools available to assist with communication after a laryngectomy?
  9. What are the long-term implications of using pseudo-WS for communication?
  10. Are there any support groups or resources available for individuals who have undergone a laryngectomy and are struggling with communication?

Reference

Authors: Mouret F, Crevier-Buchman L, Pillot-Loiseau C. Journal: Clin Linguist Phon. 2023 Sep 2;37(9):866-882. doi: 10.1080/02699206.2022.2092425. Epub 2022 Jul 12. PMID: 35818773