Testimonials

We are absolutley thrilled with this device in every way.

My 13 year old son, Alex, was born with Treacher Collins syndrome and has been trached since birth. Throughout the years we a have used a number of trach tubes by various manufacturers. When he started to grow, the “stock” trach tubes did not fit his anatomy and placement of his stoma. We were able to find a company that designed and manufactured a trach tube to fit Alex. These worked well for about 3 years. After this time we needed to replace the tubes. The manufacturer was no longer able to produce the custom trach so I began the search for a medical company that made specific silicone equipment.

After contacting Technical Products, Inc. of GA., USA, about the prospect of recreating a tracheostomy tube, Michelle contacted me within a day to discuss my problem. She talked with her design staff and said that this would not be a device that they would be able to reproduce, but they did have a device that I might be interested in, The Speak-EZ canula. Michelle was very helpful in getting us what we needed to have Alex fitted for a device. In the end, we found the correct size for Alex and the Speak-EZ worked beautifully. This device has solved all of his previous problems with a trach. There is no more bothering with trach ties and the trying to control the rash created by the silicone neck flanges It is practically invisible, therefore improving my son’s self-esteem, which we noticed right away.

Functionally, the Speak-EZ provides a tighter seal to his stoma, therefore giving him more volume and improving his speech. Alex says that it is very comfortable and he likes being able to take a shower with the nighttime stent with the plug. It creates a pretty tight seal and keeps spraying water out of his trach
I am very thankful I was able to find Technical Products, Inc. Alex loves the device and its simplicity. As a 13 year old boy, he easily takes care of the cleaning and changing devices for night time. This is something he needed help with when using the trach and ties and speaking valves. Combined with an excellent product, Technical Products, Inc.’s outstanding customer service made my experience a very rewarding one. I look forward to dealing with them in the future.

I have had a trach since November, 1999 due to bilateral vocal cord paralysis caused from thyroid surgery. Prior to the Speak-EZ, which I’ve now had for over five years, I had two other types of trach tubes. I have found the Speak-EZ a tremendous improvement over both. These are the things I like about the Speak-EZ. It is very comfortable, easy to insert, fits flat, has no plate to rub, requires no collar and is long wearing. I get more air because of its thin walled construction, and thus I am able to do more things. Both mucus and coughing are greatly reduced. Coughing is no longer violent. It fits so well, it is rarely coughed out.

Even showering is not a problem because of the flat fit. I no longer suction, but instead pull out the trach and blow my neck. I know this isn’t something most people can do, but it works well for me. Prior to using the Speak EZ, I was often sick with colds and infections. Caring for the Speak- EZ is simple, just soak it in a little peroxide and water. While it soaks, I flush my trach with a saline bullet. I do this morning and night, to get rid of any junk. I think this is something else that keeps me healthy.

The built-in speaking valve improves both voice quality and volume. Unless someone is looking directly at me, I’ve often heard the comment, “I would have never known you had a trach, if you hadn’t mentioned it.” I think that is a real tribute. The Speak-EZ has truly given me my life back. I would highly recommend it.

Last Monday was the install date for my Speak EZ (without the speaking valve). I had this installed because I was not tolerating a standard trach. I was feeling like I was being suffocated and was getting recurrent infections because I couldn’t clear my lungs. My general care practitioner, pulmonologist, and infectious disease doctor all agreed the common thread was my trach.

When I first received the Speak EZ I looked at it and didn’t honestly believe that it would work and that I wouldn’t cough it out (you asked for honest). The initial insertion was done by my ENT in his office. It went as well as any other initial trach installation since I have a very sensitive and spontaneously closing stoma. However, within 5 minutes of insertion I could already tell a difference in my breathing. The following day infectious disease released me from care since my breathing had improved.

I no longer sleep with humidified air due to less secretions. My wife is very happy that there is no odor when I unplug at night. My voice also sounds closer to normal and I don’t cough nearly as much as I did with previous trachs.

Just a few side notes: Technical Products of Georgia does not deal with any medical insurance but they will provide a paper receipt that you can submit. It took two days for my trach to get to me after ordering (normal shipping to PA). Michelle LaBoon is very easy to deal with; when you ask her something she does not know she will get you the answers very promptly. It’s not like working with my standard DME supplier. The unit is low profile and clear in color so it does not attract as much attention as my previous trachs. Because of the low profile my shower bib fits better and it is easier to shower.

As of this time, the only word of caution I can give is when unplugging make sure you hold the sides of the trach so you don’t pull it out! Yes, the plug does seat that well.

5/10/2011

I thought I’d give you my personal thoughts on the SpeakEZ cannula.

Firstly let me say a big thank you to this group, here in the UK we are/were not aware if anything like the SpeakEZ and if not for you folks and Google still wouldn’t!

I obviously have a trachy but do not use a tube or cannula in everyday life, but there are times when speaking “hands free” is a must. So after looking at this valve for a while I got in touch with the people at Technical Products, they were VERY helpful and explained what I would need to do to buy one. Things work differently in the UK and as trachy patients we get our supplies free. So I had to get my Doc to write out a private prescription which was then emailed to Technical Products. They then took payment and shipped it to me in the UK. Apologies if this is not relevant but I’m sure people not in the US would want to know!

On receiving the valve I was pleased that it was as compact as I was led to believe. It is a simple design which is often best as it can all be “housed” in the cannula and doesn’t stick out like a trumpet.

Even though I was at work I couldn’t wait to try it so I went into the toilet (washroom) and popped it in. I say popped it in because it really is that simple — just hold the ends together and in it goes. There was a fair bit of coughing and choking the first time (it does improve every time you do it), and hey, presto, I was speaking. To make it clear to you how well this works, let me say I rang my wife and grown up daughter and they were in tears at hearing the old Tim’s voice!

The valve is just as simple to take out and easy to clean, just need to treat it with care.

The valve doesn’t seem to impact breathing air in but it does restrict exhaling and this is a problem for me. Unfortunately, my upper airway is so poor that I have as much difficulty breathing out as I do in. Because of this I tend to only use the valve when I’m not doing anything too physical as I find it tiring. Let me make it clear this is due to my condition not the valve. I think that if you’re trached for apnea or something other than upper airway restriction the SpeakEZ would be perfect and allow you to chat away merrily without the ever present finger at the neck.

All in all a superior speaking valve that will help a lot of people and the team at Technical Products are excellent and helping you make the right choice.

Wishing you all well as always,