Course Information

Find out all about what you can expect from the evolution of the course to the learning outcomes you will need to understand. Take a little time to preview the three training modules and see the content of each video.

Overview

Since 1981 Dr. Eric Blom has trained surgeons and clinicians from around the world on tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) voice restoration. While this training has historically required participants to travel to Indianapolis, IN for a day and a half course, we are now pleased to provide this training virtually in three streaming sessions! This format will allow convenient, on-demand access to the material. It has also allowed us to update the content and provide surgical and patient perspectives while allowing you to hear about the evolution of the technique from Dr. Blom himself.

This course is designed for speech-language pathologists, ENT surgeons/residents and SLP graduate students desiring to learn TEP voice restoration. With over 8 hours of content, we hope that this can be a resource that you will return to again and again to improve your clinical skill. The course is currently live and registration can happen at any time. Qualifying participants can apply for 0.80 ASHA CEUs. This course will run in its current form until 2025 when updates may be made.

Ordering this training will give you convenient, 24/7 access to the material for a full year so you can get as much out of it as different situations arise in your practice. As always, we wish you luck in your journey with voice restoration!

Prerequisites: None

Preview your training

Take a sneak peek into all 3 sessions of your TEP Voice Restoration Training!

Course Disclosure: This course will focus on Tracheoesophageal Puncture (TEP) Voice Restoration (Blom-Singer® method). Other methods of restoring voice/speech after total laryngectomy will be covered in a limited basis during the discussion on historical prespectives.

Content

Session 1 - Historical Perspectives

Learn the history of voice restoration and see what factors drove the evolution of the technique.

(1hr 23min)

Introduction:  0:00
Session overview: 1:18
History of laryngectomy:    5:04
Esophageal speech:    6:48
External devices:    8:10
Electrolaryngeal devices:   9:44
Surgical reconstruction:   12:01
The Taub device:   16:58
Eric Blom’s dissertation:  21:21
Ron Hamaker:   26:49
Mark Singer:    30:30
The Blom-Singer® technique:    37:07
The Blom-Singer® voice prosthesis:    40:15
Prosthesis evolution:    43:19
Media attention:    48:00
Hands-Free device:   50:24
Growing success:   54:27
Indwelling prosthesis:    59:12
Further evolution:   1:01:30
Safety features:   1:03:14
Fungal growth:    1:05:25
Leakage around the device:    1:09:05
Ultimate voice prosthesis:    1:12:58
Patient perspectives:   1:14:18
Closing instruction:    1:15:55

Session 2 - Procedures & Techniques

Learn the clinical and surgical procedures and step-by-step techniques of voice restoration.

(3hr 12min)

Introduction:    0:00
Session overview: 1:19
Impact of total laryngectomy:    3:59
Secondary voice restoration:    18:46
Patient considerations: 19:18
Secondary procedure:    39:45
Primary voice restoration: 46:31
Patient considerations: 50:38
Primary procedure: 1:00:53
Timing of voice restoration: 1:06:36
Patient presentations: 1:10:49
Steps of insertion: 1:13:33
Instruments & materials needed: 1:15:18
Advantages & disadvantages: 1:30:27
Voice prosthesis placement: 1:42:56
Measurement: 1:47:44
Voice prosthesis preparation: 1:57:48
Retention flange deployment: 2:13:59
Voice and leak tests: 2:21:17
Recap of insertion steps: 2:23:16
Therapy techniques: 2:25:48
Accessories & attachments: 2:35:36
Coding & billing: 2:54:06
Note writing: 2:58:07
Closing instruction: 3:05:44

Session 3 - Problems & Complications

Learn how to identify and manage the major problems and complications associated with voice restoration.

(3hr 40min)

Introduction: 0:00
Session overview: 1:21
The first problem: 5:58
Leakage: 10:05
Leakage through the device: 11:09
Management of convenience: 33:20
Leakage around the device: 38:28
Myths/short-term solutions: 57:16
Prevention: 1:03:09
Principles for management: 1:13:00
Fistula management: 1:21:40
Voice prosthesis dislodgement: 1:27:18
Small tracheostoma: 1:42:12
Large tracheostoma: 1:52:58
Pharyngeal constrictor spasm: 1:54:48
Granulation tissue: 2:17:54
Vocal quality issues: 2:21:57
Aphonia: 2:38:04
Attachment duration: 2:50:12
Flatulence: 3:04:02
Excessive mucus discharge: 3:09:49
Patient concerns: 3:14:43
Final thoughts: 3:29:59
Patient perspectives: 3:32:03
Closing instruction: 3:33:39

Outcomes

We have high expectations for ourselves in providing you with the best training experience we can. We also have high expectations for you and will require you to demonstrate that you have learned the material through the Course Examination. Here are the outcomes that you can expect to achieve through this training:

  1. Historical Evolution: The learner will be able to describe historical methods of voice restoration and how these methods influenced the evolution of tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) voice restoration.

  2. Pre-operative Selection Criteria and Assessment Methods: The learner will be able to describe pre-operative surgical considerations and TEP speech assessment methods.

  3. Surgical Techniques: The learner will be able to describe surgical techniques related to tracheoesophageal puncture.

  4. Prosthesis Fitting and Management: The learner will be able to describe voice prosthesis assessment and placement procedures as well as therapy techniques for voice prosthesis use.

  5. Assessment and Management of Post-operative Difficulties: The learner will be able to describe the assessment and management of problems and complications associated with voice restoration.