Tolerance of the Passy-Muir Speaking Valve in infants and children less than 2 years of age.

Research literature confirms the intuitive reasoning that tracheotomy may adversely influence speech acquisition in infants and children. The Passy-Muir Speaking Valve (PMSV) permits inspiration through the tracheotomy stoma and expiration through the glottis, allowing for phonation. Although adults with tracheostomies have demonstrated the ability to speak using the valve without respiratory compromise, there is scant literature regarding the use of this valve in the infant or child population. A retrospective review of 64 charts was conducted to examine documented evidence of tolerance of the PMSV in infants and children 2 years of age and less. Of the 29 children trialed, 24 (83%) tolerated the PMSV and 75% of those children produced vocalization on the first trial. Another 21% produced vocalization on a subsequent trial. The implications of this study indicate that the speaking valve is safe for use in infants as young as 13 days of age when the child is trialed in a monitored setting using appropriate guidelines.