The spouse as facilitator for esophageal speech: a research perspective.

The role of the spouse in relation to the quality of esophageal speech of laryngectomized patients was investigated using psychodiagnostic instruments and speech ratings and through an assessment of the verbal interactions between the patient and spouse. Analysis of the results indicates that those speakers who were objectively judged to have higher quality speech and learned esophageal speech rapidly had spouses who were more likely to disagree verbally with them, addressed them in a way that encouraged long answers, and evidenced reciprocal compatibility for meeting affectional needs.