Q-8 Relationship between the degree of surgery and voice production
Esophageal speech may require many days, depending on the degree of surgery, until speech is produced. I received extensive resection.
A-8 Slightly disadvantageous at first, but efforts overcome difficulties.
How proficient speakers are observed by fluoroscopy using contrast material (barium). It is seen that at the time air is injected or inhaled, the cavity of the hypopharynx inflates and barium moves swiftly from the new glottis to the esophagus.
In other words, sufficient air enters the esophagus. This makes it easy to produce basic sounds and produces fast learning. Nevertheless, when the volume of the hypopharynx is narrowed because of surgery, the amount of air passing through the new glottis is limited, and is not enough for producing speech yet.
In the beginning, this condition seems disadvantageous for esophageal speech practice but, with continued practice, the mucous membrane of the hypopharynx becomes soft and starts to contract and expand. Accordingly, the amount of air taken in increases.
Don't worry about this. Concentrate your efforts on practice.
