Speaking without a tongue

A 45‐year old male with normal speech underwent a total glossectomy with myocutaneous flap reconstruction for rebuilding the posterior floor of the mouth. Speech therapy was initiated one month post surgery. Several prosthodontic devices were made to help improve speech intelligibility and deglutitory function. After several months of practice with a prosthesis, improvements of specific speech sounds including the vowel [i] were attempted by further revising the design of the prosthesis. The surgically reconstructed area seems to be capable of very limited volitional movements. In assessing the extent of movement of the flap reconstruction, x‐ray microbeam recordings were obtained before and after a major revision of the prosthesis. Articulation of selected sounds were considerably improved. Although articulation is not perfect, conversational speech is highly intelligible, including distinguishable alveolar and velar consonants and improvements on vowel production. Further revision of the prosthesis and practicing are being performed. Audio demonstrations will be given and results of simple formal assessment of intelligibility as well as “articulatory” and acoustic assessment will be discussed with interpretation of specific articulation strategies.A 45‐year old male with normal speech underwent a total glossectomy with myocutaneous flap reconstruction for rebuilding the posterior floor of the mouth. Speech therapy was initiated one month post surgery. Several prosthodontic devices were made to help improve speech intelligibility and deglutitory function. After several months of practice with a prosthesis, improvements of specific speech sounds including the vowel [i] were attempted by further revising the design of the prosthesis. The surgically reconstructed area seems to be capable of very limited volitional movements. In assessing the extent of movement of the flap reconstruction, x‐ray microbeam recordings were obtained before and after a major revision of the prosthesis. Articulation of selected sounds were considerably improved. Although articulation is not perfect, conversational speech is highly intelligible, including distinguishable alveolar and velar consonants and improvements on vowel production. Further revision of the prosthesis and ...