[Dysphagia] more H&N and electrolarynx questions

[Caroline.Johnson at med.va.gov (Johnson, Caroline)]

Marcia, We also always do pre-op counseling and include a visit with a
member of the local Lost Chords Club (usually a veteran too) which is VERY
powerful in helping the pt. understand what we are telling them and assuring
them life DOES go on- you can see the relief in their faces. We also give
them copies of "Self-Help for the Laryngectomee" by Edmund Lauder and
"Looking Forward" from Mayo Clinic- both excellent references for pt.'s and
families.

Some pt.'s can pick up an electrolarynx and be immediately 90% intelligible
with the oral adaptor, but most need a few weeks of practice and
encouragement. Many must be pushed to get through the first week with it-
you MUST be tough. The key, I think, is to have them repeat or recite to
their family members (functional phrases, days of the week, etc.) before
demanding the listener to understand conversation in unknown context. I tell
them quitting is not an option.

Caroline Johnson
Speech-Language Pathologist
Lexington , KY  VAMC
859-281-4972
 

-----Original Message-----
From: dysphagia-bounces@b9.com [mailto:dysphagia-bounces@b9.com] On Behalf
Of Buckie,Marcia
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2005 1:37 PM
To: dysphagia@medonline.com
Subject: [Dysphagia] more H&N and electrolarynx questions

Hello--

thanks to everyone who responded to my question about electrolarynx
recommendations.

We have a meeting to discuss postop care procedures with the physician.

For patients who are likely to be appropriate to use an electrolarynx, do
you regularily do pre-operative counseling?

Assuming the patient has relatively intact cognition, how long do you think
it typically takes to get a patient functional with the electrolarynx? How
much less is the intelligibility with the oral adaptor..until they can
tolerate placing the electrolarynx on the throat?

Hopefully, we can get into some h&n courses to get updated information. In
the meantime, thanks for the cyber-help.

Marcia



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