Trialing a New Communication Device for Laryngectomy Patients скачать в хорошем качестве

Trialing a New Communication Device for Laryngectomy Patients

George Donnelly was diagnosed with throat cancer due to Agent Orange from his time serving in Vietnam. While cancer treatment was successful, his voice box was no longer functional. Speech language pathologist Stacy Brill said that can be a difficult transition for patients. “Think about it. You're not picking up the phone and calling anybody. You're relying on either text or writing messages. Think about when you're driving in the car. You're no longer having a conversation to the person sitting next to you. It's very difficult to drive a car and hold up an electrolarynx and talk.” Donnelly tried an electro larynx post-surgery, but he had a hard time using it. He’s now one of the first people in the country learning to use the AVA voice communication device. “It’s simple…It’s a very short learning curve.” The device is more cost effective and sounds more natural. The Australian company is trialing with Lee Health patients like Donnelley in the US. “It’s the only solution that works for me,” said Donnelley. They’ll then give feedback to the manufacturer to help improve the second generation of the device. “I find that the more somebody has something that is easier for them to work with, the more they are apt to practice and use it and be more of an effective communicator,” said Brill. Giving patients more communication options and helping to improve quality of life. View More Health Matters video segments at    / leehealth   Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of health care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For more than 100 years, we’ve been providing our community with personalized preventative health services and primary care to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries. Visit LeeHealth.org