Re: Passey-Muir valve
Kathleen Smith (ksmith(AT)u.washington.edu)
Sat, 21 Jun 1997 17:23:53 -0700 (PDT)
Hi
Have been reading the emails about Passy-Muir valves. I am a speech
patholgist and help people learn to speak while on their ventilators.
Trachs, speaking vales are confusing and in addition some customization
can be done for individuals which can make it even more confusing. The
Passy-Muir valve is a one way speaking valve. You must use it with the
cuff down or a cuffless trach. There are other one way speaking valves
some attach on or near the trach and some attach to the exhilation port.
These valves permit speaking on exhalation. When the cuff is down (and
you are not wearing a one way speaking valve, you should be able to speak
during the inspiratory cycle only. The one way speaking valve permits
speaking on exhalation and therefore speaking without a pause making for
more natural speech (which is what speech pathologists like:) ). If you
feel short of breath when using a one way speaking valve, you can "stack
breaths" by closing your vocal cords (which happens when you bear down
like as though you need to lift something heavy). Then more air will stay
in your lungs. After awhile you get used to using a one way speaking
valve but it is tiring at first. I have worked with two people who just
could not use one for several reasons. We tried a peep valve attached to
the exhilation port. This permitted longer talking on the inspiratory
cycle (trach is cuffless). A 12 peep valve seemed to work well for them
but we had to do some experimenting first.
Anyway, when people are first learning how to speak while on a ventilator,
I have found the team approach a must with the client leading the team of
respiratory therapy, caregiver, doctor and myself. I find myself still
learning more information especially as the technology changes so I really
appreciate being a part of a listserve such as this and learning what
people like and don't like and why! Thanks
Kathy Smith, M.S., C.C.C.
Augmentative Communication Center
Assistive Technology Clinic
University of Washington Medical Center
phone:(206)543-3134
email ksmith(AT)u.washington.edu