Auditory‐Perceptual Evaluation of Situationally‐Bound Judgements of Listener Comfort for Postlaryngectomy Voice and Speech

What is already known on this subject Although information is available on how listeners rate various methods of postlaryngectomy voice and speech, namely esophageal speech (ES), tracheo-oesophageal speech (TE) and electrolaryngeal (EL) speech, as well as how they characterize speakers through auditory-perceptual evaluation, there is little information on the influence of situationally-bound judgements. In this regard, the auditory-perceptual feature termed 'listener comfort' (LC) may provide valuable information in relation to different listening scenarios. Thus, efforts that seek to quantify how unique listening situations influence listeners judgements of LC are important. These data may provide new information that would be of benefit to counselling specific to potential communication challenges that may evolve from listener responses to alaryngeal methods and their use in common communication situations. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study identified that while listener ratings of LC were not found to differ between the two listening scenarios (social vs. telephone) evaluated, the mode of postlaryngectomy speech and voice must be considered. More specifically, our data revealed significantly better listener judgements of LC were found for TE speakers when compared to the other speech modes for both listening scenarios that were assessed. The data also show that when speech intelligibility is reduced as a potential variable, considerable variability exists both within and across the modes of alaryngeal speech evaluated. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? The present data may provide important guidance relative to counselling of those who undergo total laryngectomy. Those who use any method of alaryngeal voice and speech must be aware that some listeners may react negatively to the quality of their speech. Thus, acknowledging the interaction between both the speaker and the listener is essential. Information related to how listeners may respond to specific modes of postlaryngectomy voice and speech and how specific communication scenarios may influence a listener's response can serve as valuable educational information for both clinicians and those individuals they serve as part of the postlaryngectomy rehabilitation process. Although speakers are unable to directly modify a listener's reaction to their postlaryngectomy voice quality, they may be able to directly acknowledge their challenges, which may reduce the burden on listeners in communication interactions. Thus, these data may serve to expand the extent of information provided in both pre- and postoperative laryngectomy counselling.