ETS Praxis Speech‑Language Pathology (5331) Form 2 Practice Test 2025 - Free Speech-Language Pathology Exam Practice Questions and Study Guide

The focus of treatment for a patient utilizing esophageal speech after a laryngectomy is primarily on facilitating vocal quality. Esophageal speech involves the patient swallowing air and using the air to produce sound in the esophagus, which is a different mechanism compared to normal phonation. The goal of therapy is to help the patient achieve a more intelligible and natural-sounding voice.

While improving articulation and enhancing fluency may be components of therapy, the dominant challenge for these patients is often related to the quality of the voice produced through this method. Unlike individuals with intact vocal cords, laryngectomees do not have the same mechanism for sound production. As a result, efforts are concentrated on helping them optimize their esophageal voice to ensure effective communication. Restoring vocal cord function, on the other hand, is not applicable as the patient has undergone a laryngectomy and therefore cannot regain vocal cord function.