Vocal capacities in esophageal and tracheoesophageal speakers

The present study investigated the vocal capacities of adult men who had undergone total laryngectomy. Esophageal (N = 10) and tracheoesophageal (N = 10) speakers were compared for the parameters maximum phonation time (MPT), maximum number of syllables that could be spoken on one air intake (SYLLS), dynamic range (DYN), frequency range (FREQ), and maximum intensity level (MIL). Statistical analyses yielded significant between-group differences for the parameters MPT, SYLLS, and MIL but not for DYN and FREQ. Thus, although the groups did not differ with respect to range of intensity and frequency measures, maximum performance on the durational and intensity measures was always less for the esophageal speakers than for the tracheoesophageal speakers. Pearson's product-moment correlations among these parameters were remarkably different for esophageal and tracheoesophageal subjects, suggesting that phonatory and aerodynamic factors interact differently in the two groups.