Subjective Perception and Psychoacoustic Aspects of the Laryngectomee Voice: The Impact on Quality of Life

Abstract

Purpose: A retrospective study is presented to correlate the inter-judge consistency for the different psycho-perceptual parameters of the recently proposed Impression Noise Fluency Voicing (INFVo) perceptual rating scale for substitution voices, and the vocal function as perceived by the patient. Methods: The scale Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQoL) and the SECEL (Self Evaluation of Communication Experiences After Laryngectomy) scale—a self-evaluation questionnaire of communicative experience after laryngectomy surgery—were administered to 89 total laryngectomees, subdivided in four groups depending on their type of alaryngeal voice (i.e., tracheoesophageal and esophageal speakers, electro larynx users, voiceless patients), in order to evaluate the impact of the impairment of the phonatory function on the quality of life. Results: No significant differences exist among the various groups on their perception of QoL using subjective questionnaires, whereas the INFVo scale has proven to be a useful tool for the description and analysis of the psychoacoustic characteristics of the vocal signal and a reliable instrument to correctly classify the patients. It is also notable that the judgement of the patients on their own voice and those of the referees are highly significant. Conclusion: Although speech rehabilitation for the acquisition of a substitution voice offers a new way of communication for the laryngectomized patients, nonetheless, their QoL is not significantly related to the type of substitution voice. Therefore, improving the patient’s adaptation to the new phonatory condition is mandatory.

Solunum Fonksiyon Testleri Laboratuvarı Teknisyenlerinde Ses Kalitesinin Değerlendirilmesi

“…The V-RQOL scoring categorizes scores as 10-15 (Excellent), 16-20 (Very Good), 21-25 (Good), 26-30 (Moderate), and 31-50 (Poor), with our study's average score being 17.2. [20] These results suggest that the voice quality of PFTL employees is likely affected. The fact that 13% of employees have a voice-related medical diagnosis, with 33% of these diagnoses made after employment, is concerning.…”

Quality of Life and Respiratory Performance in the Laryngectomized Patient: Role of the HME Filters during Physical Activity

“…The process of social reintegration of laryngectomy patients begins with vocal rehabilitation: as the voice is an essential tool in human life, especially in the relational sphere, even when the vocal function is returned, sometimes, no attention is paid to welfare and the importance of having an active lifestyle for social reintegration [ 8 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Sport, among other things, represents a vehicle for social inclusion, an important tool for aggregation and interaction that, especially for these patients, is capable of distancing them from the state of anguish resulting from their illness and at the same time allowing them to feel socially accepted [ 6 , 28 , 29 , 30 ].…”

“…The loss of vocal ability is a devastating experience for the relational life of laryngectomy patients [ 8 ].…”

Sport in the Laryngectomized Patient: A Literature Review and Single Case Presentation

“…A laryngectomee patient may need to interrupt meals several times both with family and friends. Furthermore, the presence of a tracheostoma, in addition to determining an increase in work disabilities, can alter the ability to carry out common activities of daily life such as skiing, gardening, singing in a choir [ 28 , 29 ].…”