By now you have most certainly come across the term HME. But you may not be entirely sure what it is. Firstly, HME stands for Heat and Moisture Exchanger and this is exactly how it operates. Since you no longer have the humidifying and filtering functions of your nose, an HME can be considered your … Read more
Background As an experienced Head and Neck Nurse, I am passionate about empowering people to achieve their maximum potential. I have worked in various roles in the health sector for over 34 years. In 2013, I had a total laryngectomy. After a couple of years away from work to recover, I have since devoted my … Read more
Standing beside a loved one diagnosed with cancer is challenging and sometimes hard. You are not diagnosed with the disease, but you might feel afraid, helpless, exhausted and sad. When a person is diagnosed with cancer, family and friends are also affected. If you are helping a person through their cancer treatment, with support, grocery … Read more
This Total Laryngectomy Guide was created to inform you about what to expect after surgery. Take one step at a time. The initial time after the surgery may be challenging for some people. But try to remember, most people who have had a total laryngectomy go on to live normal active lives. As you read … Read more
I had my laryngectomy exactly 8 years ago from when I started to write this piece of information. I hope the content will help you understand how your voice will be created and heard after you have had your surgery. So you may be wondering how a laryngectomy will affect your voice after surgery? Before … Read more
Is it possible to speak after a total laryngectomy? Usually, it is. There are three main options to speak after a total laryngectomy: Using tracheoesophageal (TE) speech, speaking with an electrolarynx, or using esophageal speech. We will explain these three alternatives here in this text. Voice is an important part of your identity. It is how you express … Read more
We produce our voice through vibration. As air is passed through the vocal cords, they vibrate and produce sound. As the air then continues up your airways, it shapes that sound into speech. So, after a total laryngectomy you will no longer have vocal cords and therefore will be unable to produce a voice through … Read more
Before your laryngectomy, your voice is produced by vocal cords that are located in your larynx/voice box. Your vocal cords generate sound so you can speak. When you breathe out, air passes through the vocal cords making them vibrate to produce sound. The sound moves into your mouth and is shaped into speech with your … Read more