Trach-talk devices can help kids who have a tracheostomy (tray-kee-OSS-tuh-me) speak and swallow.

Trach-talk devices fit on the trach tube or inner cannula. When the child breathes in, a valve in the device opens, letting air in through the trach. When the child breathes out, the valve closes, and air goes through the larynx (voice box) and out the mouth and nose. This allows speech. Trach-talk devices also can help with eating because being able to control breathing helps with swallowing.

Many kids feel anxious when they first get a trach-talk device because they are not used to breathing out through the mouth and nose. It can take time to get used to this new feeling.

• Use the valve as often as instructed by your health care provider.
• An adult who knows how to attach and remove the trach-talk device should always be with your child when it's in use.
• Before attaching the device:
  • Suction your child's trach tube.
  • Make sure the cuff on your child's trach is deflated (if your child has an inflatable cuff).
• Do not have your child wear the valve for longer than the period recommended by your health care provider. Also remove the valve:
  • for sleeping
  • for breathing treatments
  • if your child is restless, wheezes, grunts, or coughs a lot
  • if your child can't speak or make noises with the mouth
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning the device.
• Only adults who have been trained to manage the trach-talk device should attach and remove it.
• If your child is in school or day care, you may need to ask for a trained staff member to be with your child at all times.

Your child:

• is very uncomfortable with the device
• coughs when trying to use the device
• can't tolerate the device for as long as before

• Your child has trouble breathing through the trach.
• There is a problem with the trach that you can't fix at home.

Why do kids with trachs have trouble speaking? Kids with trachs can have trouble speaking because they breathe out through the trach, so the air does not pass the vocal cords or the mouth.

What if my child can't tolerate a trach-talk device? Trach-talk devices are not a good fit for every child. If the trach-talk device doesn't work for your child, your care team can help your child find other ways to communicate.