Speech and swallowing

Overview

Our speech-language pathologists help people who have speech, voice, swallowing and chewing difficulties. We focus our care on improving your oral function, safety and quality of life after cancer treatment, trauma or surgery and/or with the use of a dental prosthesis.

Services 

• assessment of speech, swallowing and chewing
• treatment for speech, voice and swallowing challenges
• assessment of safe use of dental prostheses
• provision of dental prostheses working with prosthodontists and technologists

Functional assessments

• We complete functional assessments for patients before and after cancer treatment, and during the use of prostheses, to monitor changes in oral function.
• You will be seen for three to four assessments.
• We will measure your speech, chewing and swallowing function.
• The results will guide your care and may also be used in research to help improve treatments and outcomes.

Treatment pathway

• You will need a referral from a physician or speech-language pathologist to use our services.
• You may receive intensive therapy (several sessions per week), supported by home exercises.
• Technology, such as sensors to track muscle activity, may be used during your therapy.

Prostheses for speech and swallowing

You may be a candidate for a prothesis or appliance to help improve your speech and/or swallowing. These devices are created by the team in our osseointegration laboratory working with prosthodontists. Examples include:

• palatal augmentation prosthesis to support a weak tongue
• maxillary or pharyngeal obturator to close a hole in the palate
• palatal lift appliance to help a weak soft palate

If you are a candidate, you will need several appointments to help us design and fit your prosthesis.

Resources

Cookbooks for swallowing/chewing difficulties

• Besser, Jeanne, et al. What to Eat During Cancer Treatment. American Cancer Society, 2019. ISBN: 1604430052
• Greer, Rita. Soft Options: For Adults Who Have Difficulty Chewing. Souvenir Press, 1998. ISBN: 978-0285634473
• Weihofen, Donna L, et al. Easy-To-Swallow, Easy-To-Chew Cookbook. John Wiley & Sons, 2002. ISBN: 978-0471200741
• Wilson, J. Randy. The I-Can’t-Chew Cookbook: Delicious Soft Diet Recipes for People with Chewing, Swallowing, and Dry Mouth Disorders. Hunter House, 2011. ISBN: 978-0897933995

• Wilson, J. Randy. Non-Chew Cookbook. 1986. ISBN: 0919100457