An improved esophageal insufflation test

E. D. Blom, M. I. Singer and R. C. Hamaker

Previous investigations identified that insufflation of the esophagus may elicit reflex pharyngoesophageal closure, impeding airflow and subsequent voice production. A simplified method for esophageal insufflation consistently evaluates the capacity for alaryngeal speech acquisition. Although primarily a method for predicting tracheoesophageal speech, it may also be an important prognostic indicator for traditional esophageal speech development.