What type of speech is demonstrated by Mr. Carlson after tracheal surgery by trapping air in his mouth and pushing it into his esophagus?

The scenario described involves Mr. Carlson trapping air in his mouth and then pushing it into his esophagus to produce sound. This technique is characteristic of esophageal speech, which is a method used by individuals who have undergone laryngectomy or other procedures that impair vocal cord function.

In esophageal speech, the person learns to swallow air and then expels it, creating vibrations in the esophagus that can be articulated into words and sounds. This method is a non-vocal voice production technique that relies on the natural anatomy of the body, utilizing the esophagus as a sound source instead of the vocal cords.

This approach to speech therapy is particularly relevant in the context of patients recovering from surgeries that affect normal speech production capabilities, making it essential for rehabilitation and communication. It contrasts with the other types of speech, such as articulatory speech, which focuses on manipulating the physical production of sounds without reliance on air management in the esophagus; respiratory speech, which emphasizes breath support; and vocalized speech, which generally refers to speech involving sound production through vocal cords.