After a total laryngectomy, an SLP teaches a patient to speak by using their esophagus. What treatment is the SLP primarily utilizing?

The focus of teaching a patient to speak using their esophagus following a total laryngectomy is referred to as esophageal speech. This method involves the patient learning to produce voice by ingesting air into the esophagus and then expelling it in a controlled manner, which creates sound. The esophagus acts as a sound source, allowing for voice production even in the absence of the larynx.

In this context, esophageal speech is a self-sustained method that does not require any external devices or punctures, making it a critical skill for individuals who have undergone a total laryngectomy and want to regain oral communication. It emphasizes the use of the remaining anatomical structures to facilitate speech, highlighting the adaptability of patients in utilizing their body's capabilities for communication.

Other methods such as tracheoesophageal puncture involve creating a small hole between the trachea and esophagus to allow for the use of a voice prosthesis, while neck electrolarynx and intraoral artificial larynx utilize devices to produce sound; however, these are not the primary focus of the technique being addressed in this situation.