A voice for tracheotomy?

My dad had Stage 4 laryngeal cancer and had a total laryngectomy (his larynx and tounge were removed, they recreated an esphogus using a chest muscle) . He now has a tracheotomy (stoma) , He has a TEP (Tracheoesphageal Puncture), but wont be able to even start speech therapy for about a month, but since he had a TEP, insurance wont cover a electrolarynx. Any ideas on how he can communicate that we can afford (i.e. under $200). No sign language or anything, we need some actual sound for phone conversations and stuff (he is in NC, I am in WA). We have email, but he wants to talk on the phone. The only thing I can come up with is the old school speak and spells from the 80's. Ideas? Or if you know of a charity or website where they can help him out it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Yes, they only removed part of his tounge, I think they said 60%...?

there are programs for the computer that will make it say what you type. this may help hin in the interin until he gets a voice box thing fitted to his throat which will give him back speech but he will not sound the same as he used to. Its all worth it in the end as he is alive to try to sort out his problems. I wish him and you all the best for the future

Shouldn't have to have a electrolarynx.. Most people i have taken care of have a valve to put in that allows them to speak. here is a couple of links that may help....
http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/defaul...
http://www.webwhispers.org/library/TEPPr...

Hope this helps! With work, u and ur dad will be talking on the phone before u know it!!

TEXT messaging on a mobile phone and failing that try MSN on a mobile telephone. He will not be able to speak until he gets his speech therapy and that is a few weeks away. Good Luck

The first thing for him to do would be to ask his surgeon to connect him with the social worker and chaplain at his hospital - these people will have access to all state and charitable resources available. Additionally, an appointment with a speech-language pathologist simply on an advisory basis (as opposed to your father's medical care) might lead you to resources in your community. If your father is or was a member of a union, church, military branch, or is or was the employee of a corporation, these places may be resources to either secure financial help or necessary therapies and equipment.

Secondly, with a many tracheotomies, there is something called a "passy-muir" valve, which I think another answerer referred to above. Unfortunately, these will probably not work in your dad's case, as they allow air to flow above the stoma, but require a functioning larynx in most cases to allow speech.

I purchased an electrolarynx for my daughter over ebay for under $150.00, and it works fine. However, they may not be great for telephone speech. The consonants are not particularly clear, and I find that if I am not there to read lips, I have a hard time understanding - that said, it is worth the try.

Finally, there are many "text to speech" programs available. The one from microsoft can be acquired here: http://www.microsoft.com/reader/develope...

I have this installed on a used laptop that I purchased for under $250 dollars, and it works with Microsoft word - my daughter types in a sentence, and the computer "speaks" it in a Stephen Hawking like voice - it has been our best solution thus far.

In any case, good luck, I hope it helps.

You say he had his tongue removed, but they did a TEP? Did I miss something?
A TEP will do no good if his tongue has been removed. I can only assume he only had part of it removed.
His ENT should have referred him to a speech pathologist by now (actually, it should have been done pre-op). She/he will have all the resources your dad will need, including alternative communication methods (computer or otherwise), and may have suggestions about how to obtain an electrolarynx for little or no money. They may not be able to start working on esophageal speech or using the Blom-Singer yet, but could certainly be doing other things which will help him communicate NOW.
Forget the Passy-Muir-- it only works with an intact larynx and just increases intratracheal pressure and redirects the airstream across the vocal cords. Obviously, your dad doesn't have any.
larynxlink.org is the site for the International Association of Laryngectomees, and I'm certain your dad will find it helpful and informative.
The Sertoma Club's philanthropy is providing resources to patients with a communicative disorder, including laryngectomees. A chapter may be close enough to your dad to be helpful.
Good luck. He really can have good quality of life once he adjusts and gets up to speed with the communication stuff.