Total laryngectomy has far-reaching effects on vocal tract anatomy and physiology. The preferred method for restoring postlaryngectomy oral communication is prosthetic tracheoesophageal (TE) speech, which like laryngeal speech is pulmonary driven. TE speech quality is better than esophageal or electrolarynx speech quality, but still very deviant from laryngeal speech. For a better understanding of neoglottis physiology and for improving rehabilitation results, study of TE speech intelligibility remains important. Methods used were perceptual evaluation, acoustic analyses, and digital high-speed imaging. First results show large variations between speakers and especially difficulty in producing voiced-voiceless distinction. This paper discusses first results of our experiment.

TE and NL speakers differ less in the way the voiced-voiceless distinction is conveyed than expected. Further research is needed to show whether the main acoustic cue is also perceptually most relevant.

A total laryngectomy changes the anatomy and physiology of the vocal tract, with a most noticeable effect on speech. By applying a voice prosthesis, enabling the patient to use tracheoesophageal (TE) speech, speech is of better quality than with esophageal or electrolarynx speech, but still very deviant from laryngeal speech. Most studies on TE speech have focused on voice quality. For the understanding of the physiology of the neoglottis and for improving the results of rehabilitation, it is important to study intelligibility as well. This paper will discuss the first results of a study on TE speech intelligibility.