Clinical Research Directory

Correlation Between Personnality Traits and Ability to Learn Oroesophageal Voice

After total laryngectomy and loss of laryngeal phonation, the oro-oesophageal voice (VOO) is a communication option for the patient. It involves little financial outlay and, when mastered, ensures functional communication, but requires time-consuming speech therapy. VOO acquisition depends on a number of factors, including the patient's physiology, personality and socio-cultural environment. Several authors have suggested the influence of psychology on failure to learn VOO, but the studies found in the literature are old and did not use personality tests to objectivize this link through quantitative analysis. Today, the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI-125) is a personality test used clinically and in research, and appreciated for the quantitative scores it provides. The aim of our study is to ascertain whether salient personality traits (as measured by the TCI) are common to patients who succeed in learning VOO, compared with those who do not. 40 subjects who underwent total laryngectomy and had access to speech therapy will be included in this study. A speech assessment with audio recording will be performed and acoustic measurements will be taken. Subjects will also take the TCI-125. Finally, a perceptual evaluation by a jury of experts will categorize the subjects as good or poor speakers. Inclusion period: 24 months Duration of subject participation: 1 day Total duration: 36 months