Quality of Life in Prosthetic Voice Users

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to measure the efficacy of prosthetic voice restoration for laryngectomees in relation to various quality-of-life parameters. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The University of Washington Quality of Life Scale, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale, and a demographic data form of our own design were completed by 16 laryngectomees who had undergone prosthetic voice restoration in our private practice by Blom-Singer methodology. RESULTS: More than 80% of the respondents were positive in their assessment of each category on all three surveys. CONCLUSION: Prosthetic voice restoration in private practice resulted in achieved expectations, satisfaction with speech, and good quality of life as measured by physical, functional, social, and emotional well-being parameters. SIGNIFICANCE: Laryngectomees may be offered prosthetic voice restoration with a high likelihood that they will be satisfied. EBM RATING: C.