An improved esophageal insufflation test.

Previous investigations identified that insufflation of the esophagus may elicit reflex pharyngoesophageal closure, impeding airflow and subsequent voice production. A simplified method for esophageal insufflation consistently evaluates the capacity for alaryngeal speech acquisition. Although primarily a method for predicting tracheoesophageal speech, it may also be an important prognostic indicator for traditional esophageal speech development.