Communication mechanisms in laringectomized patients
Main Article Content
Keywords
Laryngeal cancer, laryngectomy, phonation mechanism
Abstract
Laryngeal cancer accounts for 25% of head and neck cancers. For T1 laryngeal carcinomas treated with radiotherapy or laser surgery, there is no significant difference in terms of quality of voice perceived by the patient between both therapeutic forms. The total laryngectomy is still used as the therapeutic alternative in advanced carcinomas. The loss of the phonation ability is a consequence of the surgery, so there is a diverse range of communication mechanisms to offer to the patient. Classical approaches inclu- de: esophageal speech, electrolarynx and tracheoesophageal valve. In this scenario, new alternatives have emerged: statistical voice conversion GMM (Gaussian Mixture Model), SWARA project and “Mi propia voz” project.