Speech performance of adult cantonese-speaking laryngectomees using different types of alaryngeal phonation

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to compare the speech performance of four types of alaryngeal phonation-electrolaryngeal (EL), pneumatic artificial laryngeal (PA), tracheoesophageal (TE), and standard esophageal (SE) speech-by adult Cantonese-speaking laryngectomees. Subjective ratings of (1) voice quality, (2) articulation proficiency, (3) quietness of speech, (4) pitch variability, and (5) overall speech intelligibility were given by eight naive individuals who had no prior experience with any form of alaryngeal speech. Results indicated that SE and TE speech was perceived to be more hoarse than PA and EL speech. EL speech was associated with significantly less pitch variability, and PA speakers produced speech with the least amount of perceived noise. However, articulation proficiency and overall speech intelligibility were found to be comparable in all four types of alaryngeal speakers.