How to Talk with a Tracheostomy Tube. Life with a Vent

When people are faced with getting a tracheostomy tube, the number one question many people have is: will I be able to talk once I get a tracheostomy tube? Many people avoid getting a tracheostomy tube fearing once they have the procedure, they will lose the ability to speak. While I cannot promise if a person will or will not be able to talk after getting a tracheotomy tube, I will share with you tips and suggestions for learning how to speak with a tracheotomy tube. #lifewithavent #tracheostomy #speaking
How to talk:
Once you have a tracheotomy tube, you will need to know the mechanics of speaking. If you use a ventilator, you will need to synchronize your talking with your breathing. For example, you need to speak when the ventilator is exhaling. If you try to speak when the ventilator is giving an inhalation breath, you will have very little success.
If you have a cuff on the trach tube, you will need to deflate the cuff completely in order to speak.If you do not use a ventilator, you will need to occlude the trach tube to force air up the airway.
To occlude the tracheostomy tube, place your finger over your trach tube and breathe out. This will cause all the exhaled air to be forced up your airway and through your vocal cords. Using your finger may cause bacteria from your finger to travel down into your airways. If this is a concern, consider placing gauze over your finger before occluding your tracheotomy tube.
Tip #1 Make animal and letter sounds
After getting a trach tube, your trachea will be swollen. This will make it difficult to communicate. However, do not be discouraged. Not being able to speak is normal. You will have to re-train your body how to talk.
Just like a young child learning to speak, the first thing you will need to do is try making sounds. Attempt to moo like a cow, quack like a duck or baw like a sheep. Any noise you can make will help you learn how to use new muscles to create speech.
Another exercise you can do is go through the alphabet and practice making each sound. It may sound something like this. ah, ah, bah, bah, cah, cah, etc. Also, try using different emotions. Try mooing feeling happy. Try saying sounds when you are upset. Different emotions use different muscles to speak.
Tip #2 Try sitting up to speak
Breathing is important when trying to talk. When you lie down, it is very hard to push air up your airway and through your vocal cords to make sounds. If possible, sit up as straight as you can. Now practice making sounds or uttering words. For me, I can speak fairly easily sitting up. If I lie down, it is very difficult to talk. If I try to speak when lying down, my voice is weak and often hard to hear.
Tip #3 When you figure it out, keep practicing
When trying to relearn how to speak, you may find there are certain words or sounds you can make which are easier than others. Once you figure out how to articulate a word or sound, practice saying it over and over again. Pay attention to what muscles you are using. Try to imitate the sound as best as you can. If you cannot figure out how you made the sound, be patient, you will most likely make the same sound again in the future.
Tip # 4 Be patient
Relearning how to speak may be a long process. For me, it took about two weeks before I was able to make noise and say words. It took about a month before I was able to speak sentences.
Tip #5 Use the right trach tube
One of the most important factors to speaking with a trach tube is using the right trach tube. You want the tracheotomy tube to be flexible and as thin as possible.Shiley tubes are often the tracheostomy tube of choice when receiving a tracheostomy tube for the first time. Shileys are wonderful tracheostomy tubes, but they are hard plastic. They do not bend and move. Moreover, if you use a cuffed tracheostomy tube, the shiley tracheostomy tube has a large cuff. The large cuff will make it very hard to speak.
For your first tracheostomy tube exchange, ask your doctor if you can switch tracheostomy tubes. The tracheostomy tubes which work best for speaking are made from silicone or flexible plastic. In the USA, Bivona is the most commonly used silicone tracheostomy tube. If using a cuff on the trach tube, the silicone tracheotomy tube has a cuff which deflates completely. This will make speaking much easier than using a Shiley which has a bulky cuff. There is also a company called Tracoe which makes a flexible tracheostomy tube made from polyurethane.
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[@tanschi8449]

Love your channel, what you do is so important.

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you.

[@felinefriend22]

You are amazing! Thank you for the helpful tips and words of encouragement

[@LifewithaVent]

I am glad it was helpful!

[@csk4j]

You project a very positive attitude which is very encouraging!

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you.

[@rosierose8518]

Thank you for sharing such great info!

[@LifewithaVent]

I am glad it was helpful.

[@Chronically_JBoo]

You speak very well too. Thank you two years later

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you.

[@tamalodg196]

Yeah WOW she sound fantastic for having a tracheotomy tube. One of the VERY BEST I’ve ever heard. I always thought it was totally impossible to get your normal voice back after having a tracheotomy tube. But she does fantastic.

[@LifewithaVent]

@@tamalodg196 Thank you so much. I appreciate your kind words.

[@ranahamedsalha7274]

Thanks for sharing. Blessing for your efforts❤

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you.

[@solangeganier]

Hello! I've using tube for almost 7 years right now bc I'm a bedridden patient I'm so excited when i saw your video! your voice is so clear. I wish i could speak clearly like you one day. I'm be able to speak and communicate with my family right now but my voice sounds like i have a fever or minion every time i speak. will i have clearly voice and normal voice like you if I practice every day? You encourage me so much i love your video!❤

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you for sharing some of your story with me. Do you have a speaking valve? If you do not, find out if you can get one. For more information about speaking valves, please see the following video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqrVl3ijmrt4nqM

[@Garrrrrishere]

Thank you 🙏 you’re amazing

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@alindarivera1900]

Thank you for sharing!!

[@LifewithaVent]

Thanks for watching!

[@charlynewilliams5189]

You are amazing!

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you.

[@jasminehuang1845]

Your voice is good and clear

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you.

[@parthibana1]

Thank you. God bless you.

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you for watching.

[@evangelistofyhwh.]

Thank you so much

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you for watching.

[@faraz1231]

Really appreciated

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you.

[@RickBeligni]

Very good presentation

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you.

[@marciohenrique4820]

Thank you!

[@LifewithaVent]

I am glad it was helpful.

[@al-imrangroupofinstitution3607]

Thanks

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you for watching.

[@kayavizhi]

You give me confidence .thank you so much. You are sooper girl.

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@pwchowaniok]

Hi, thank you for this information...I was wondering where you purchase the Bivona cuffed traec...I need to suggest it for my son because he has a shiley size 6 but I can see how a more flexible one would be much better for him. Thank you for posting so much wonderful information.

[@LifewithaVent]

Hello. Thank you for your kind words. I usually get my tracheostomy tubes through my durable medical equipment company. I tell them which tracheostomy tube I need, and they order it for me. To purchase online, you can try the website VitalityMedical.com I have never purchased from them, but they have a good reputation. They carry Bivona tracheostomy tubes.

[@pwchowaniok]

@@LifewithaVent Thank you for your quick response. How did you know what size to get going from shiley to Silicone Bivona since the sizes are not quite the same?

[@pwchowaniok]

Do you mind sharing the name of your durable medical equipment Company please?:)

[@LifewithaVent]

​@@pwchowaniok In general, I stay with the same inner diameter size. The Bivona size 6 is 6 mm. I am not sure which Shiley your son is using, but if it is the standard Shiley size 6, the inner diameter is 6.4 mm. Both size 6 tracheostomy tubes have almost the same size inner diameter and should be interchangeable.

[@LifewithaVent]

@@pwchowaniok Medical Equipment Company: Most have service areas and require you to live in their area.

[@ariella4444]

How many times has you tracheotomy tube caused you to end up with severe sepsis which requires very strong antibiotics???

[@LifewithaVent]

Zero times. I have never had severe sepsis due to my tracheostomy tube.

[@Plotagoner2335]

People can also use a speaking valve

[@LifewithaVent]

Thank you for sharing.

[@vijayak7308]

Hello dear, as you know my father feels comfortable only with Bivona fome-cuf tracheostomy tube. Due to some organizational changes it's not available in India now. How can I procure from USA, I will get it shipped to my friend on USA and they will send it me. Can we procure in USA without doctor prescription? Any suggestions are welcome.

[@LifewithaVent]

Here is a website which sells Bivona fome-cuf tracheostomy tubes. They do not require a doctor's prescription. I have never ordered from this website. I do not know have any experience with the company. Here is the link: www.respiratorycarestore.com/smith-nephew-bivona-850160-850195-adult-fome-cuf-tracheostomy-tube-kit-6-mm-70-7-8-88-9-5-98

[@iseerojo]

It’s been almost 8 months since I’ve gotten my trach tube I fear it’s too late to even try to speak again, I’ve been so discouraged to even try all this time any tips?

[@LifewithaVent]

Hello. I am sorry you have felt discouraged. My best recommendation is to watch a funny movie or show and see if you can make any laughing sounds. Laughing is often one of the easier sounds to make. I hope you do not give up. Practice every day for a month. Try making sounds throughout the day. You have not used your vocal cords in 8 months; it may take a while for your body to remember how to speak. Be patient...but please do not give up.

[@khonkhosilelihle7414]

Are you now speaking?

[@iseerojo]

@@khonkhosilelihle7414 I’m not

[@khonkhosilelihle7414]

@@iseerojo Try to do so.

[@ariella4444]

How many times have you had severe sepsis due to your tracheotomy tube??

[@alexlo7708]

My father passed away yesterday after doctor had him tracheostomy tube for couple months. He could not make it to the day he could speak even I knew He realy realy want to said to family's everyone. The physician doctor who took care of him always said he cannot speak anymore since tracheostomy in which I myself surely objected to him. I tried reaching every sources until found electronic larynx from medical school hospital. But it too late. My father ended his hardship hospital journey just after I told him I'd bring elctronic laraynx and help him speak on he wish. I'm such a failed child to my dad.

[@LifewithaVent]

Hello. I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. I cannot imagine how hard this must be. Please know, you did everything you could. You are not a failed child to your dad. You are a success. You loved him dearly and did everything you could. May his memory be a blessing.

[@user-fu5iq5gp5j]

So sorry for your loss🙏🏿😞🥰

[@malikofficial2050]

I am a total laryngectomy patient..7 year are completing now. and still voiceless..what should i do..plzz answer

[@HamdushMohamed1]

Your amazing. My mom was a total laryngectomy patient too, my recommendation is meeting with your team of doctors and especially speech pathologist. It's their job to train you. And as she stated practice makes perfect. You push down on the Hme and that's how my mom made sounds. Try it. Good luck and wish you the best

[@LifewithaVent]

@malikofficial2050 Please consult with your medical team. They should have options for you regarding speech.

[@LifewithaVent]

@@HamdushMohamed1 Thank you so much for sharing.

[@user-qn6fn7gk5e]

help me plz i need help......

[@LifewithaVent]

What do you need help with?

[@jovenmagsipoc5824]

Are you trusted?

[@LifewithaVent]

I hope so.

[@jovenmagsipoc5824]

@@LifewithaVent i trird that with my shiley trach,it was very difficult.

[@jovenmagsipoc5824]

@@LifewithaVent i tried*

[@jovenmagsipoc5824]

@@LifewithaVent i deflste the cuff and then i cough so hard

[@jovenmagsipoc5824]

I deflate the cuff and then i cough so hard

[@jovenmagsipoc5824]

Is this true?

[@LifewithaVent]

Yes.

[@jovenmagsipoc5824]

Is this legit?

[@LifewithaVent]

Yes.

[@user-qn6fn7gk5e]

help me plz i need help......

[@LifewithaVent]

What do you need help with?