A Comparison of the Blom Low Profile Voice Inner Cannula and the Passy-Muir One-Way Tracheotomy Tube Speaking Valve on Voice Production, Speech Intelligibility, and Biomechanical Swallowing Behavior

The goal of a one-way tracheotomy tube speaking valve is to allow cognitively intact individuals who require a tracheotomy tube communicate with their own voice. All non-verbal communication strategies have shortcomings. Lip reading is unreliable, communication boards are simplistic, writing very laborious, and computerized augmentative communication systems too costly. This inability to communicate effectively prevents optimal patient participation in their plan-of-care. Verbal communication, therefore, plays an integral role in psychological functioning, social interactions, and overall medical care.

The primary criteria for determining success or failure of any one-way tracheotomy tube speaking valve is how well it allows for adequate voice intensity greater than ambient room noise to achieve both audible voice production and intelligible speech. The first purpose of this study is to investigate voice production and speech intelligibility abilities associated with the Blom low profile voice inner cannula and the Passy-Muir one-way tracheotomy tube speaking valves. It is hypothesized that there will be no significant differences between the two speaking valves regarding physiologic parameters, voice production, or speech intelligibility capabilities.

There are conflicting reports in the literature regarding the relationship between a tracheotomy tube and swallowing success. Some authors report an improvement in swallowing success when the tracheotomy tube is occluded while others report no change in aspiration status based on occlusion status of the tracheotomy tube. Recently, it has been reported that there was no causal relationship between the tracheotomy tube and aspiration status. There is a paucity of research, to date, reporting on movement of the hyolaryngeal complex based upon occlusion status of a tracheotomy tube or presence of a tracheotomy tube. The second purpose of this study is to investigate how the Blom low profile voice inner cannula and the Passy-Muir one-way tracheotomy tube speaking valves impact on swallowing behavior and movement of the hyolaryngeal complex during routine diagnostic modified barium swallow evaluations.

Inclusion criteria

• Over 18 years of age, English speaking, and ability to tolerate a tracheotomy tube with a fully deflated tracheotomy tube cuff.

Exclusion criteria

• Inability to tolerate full tracheotomy tube cuff deflation or copious secretions preventing placement of a one-way tracheotomy tube speaking valve.