In 1978, Drs. Singer and Blom pioneered the methods of tracheoesophageal puncture and valved silicone voice prostheses that over the past 26 years have become the international standard for voice restoration, allowing thousands of patients worldwide to regain their ability to speak. By creating a small surgical passage just inside the stoma, from the back wall of the trachea into the esophageal wall, a voice prosthesis can be placed into this passage to enable tracheoesophageal speech. Voice is produced by temporarily blocking the stoma so that exhaled air from the lungs can be directed from the trachea through the prosthesis into the esophagus and then out through the mouth. Fluent, conversational speech may be acquired within just a few days.
Blom-Singer voice prostheses are available as patient-maintained (ex: Duckbill, Low Pressure) or clinician-maintained (ex: Indwelling). Standard products are designed to accommodate most anatomies; special order product size/styles are also available.
Advantage and Dual Valve Voice Prostheses are for patients whose voice prostheses are susceptible to Candida growth. Both valves are imbedded with silver oxide, an antimicrobial agent that has been proven to eliminate or reduce the need for antifungal agents.
