Effects of a prosthetic tongue on vowel intelligibility and food management in a patient with total glossectomy.

Effects of a prosthetic tongue on vowel intelligibility and food management in a patient who underwent total glossectomy are discussed. Results of the vowel intelligibility study indicate improvement from 48% to 64% on the Vowel Rhyme Test with use of the prosthesis. Analyses of listener confusions suggest that the most significant effects of the prosthesis were reductions in height and antero-posterior confusions, and a proportionately larger number of same category errors. Results further reveal that front vowels appear better preserved than back and central vowels, in both prosthesis and nonprosthesis conditions. Effects of the prosthesis on food management are discussed and consideration is given to future prosthesis design and fabrication.