[Speech Intelligibility and Marital Quality in Couples after Total Laryngectomy - Partners' View]

Following the total removal of the larynx (TL) as a result of laryngeal cancer, both, patients and partners face significant challenges caused by altered speech intelligibility. We analysed effects of the altered speech intelligibility on dyadic communication and marital quality from the partners' point of view.

70 partners of cancer patients with laryngectomy from 13 hospitals in Central Germany were interviewed 2 (t1) and 3 (t2) years after laryngectomy. Partners were administered a battery of questionnaires to assess speech intelligibility, coping with altered speech intelligibility and post-laryngectomy dyadic communication pattern. Hahlwegs Partnership Questionnaire (PFB) was used to analyse martial quality. Patients with laryngectomy completed Post-Laryngektomie-Telefonverständlichkeits-Test (PLTT) to measure speech intelligibility.

Speech intelligibility was classified by partners as 'good' in 37% (t1) and 57% (t2). Female partners did not generally indicate an increased dispute behavior, compared with woman in general. However, dyadic communication and mutual activities were less satisfactory. Partners of aphonic patients argued more frequently, coped less adequately with the altered dyadic communication and perceived more frequently a decline in marital quality since the onset of the disease.

Results indicate need and importance of logopaedic support also with respect to marital quality. Further, interventions which emphasize the improvement of dyadic communication and enhancement of mutual activities should be stimulated.