KRMC Welcome To Kingman Regional Medical Center

New Speech Restoration Program Offered at KRMC

The Speech Pathology Department at KRMC now offers services to meet the special needs of patients who must have all or part of their larynx removed (laryngectomy). These services are designed to assist the patient in regaining oral communication ability using voice prosthesis or other emerging technologies. The aim is to keep the patient's life as normal as possible by helping them feel confident speaking with people in everyday situations both in-person and over the telephone.

Prior to laryngectomy surgery, KRMC speech pathologists consult with the patient and their family to discuss the anatomical changes that will occur following surgery. They also can assess the patient's communicative needs and offer input on the appropriate voice replacement technology (e.g., electro-larynx, tracheal-esophageal valve, etc.). This decision is best made considering the patient's particular speech requirements, physical/mental status, personal preference and type of surgical procedure performed.

After surgery, KRMC speech pathologists can immediately start speech therapy while the patient is at KRMC and continue therapy after discharge from the hospital through the outpatient therapy clinic. In addition, the speech pathologists can address other post-laryngectomy issues such as difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia).

KRMC Speech Pathologists have extensive experience working with numerous speech and dysphagia disorders in patients of all ages in schools, long-term care facilities, private practices, and hospitals.

With this new program, KRMC can now play a major role in helping laryngectomy patients speak again. For more information, contact Siva Gramm-Rohm at 928/692-4171.