Evaluation of odor functions of individuals having total laryngectomy

Başaran, R., Evaluation of Olfactory Functions of Individuals with Total Laryngectomy, Hacettepe University Graduate School of Health Sciences Speech and Language Therapy Programme Master Thesis, Ankara, 2020. Following total laryngectomy, individuals' speech, pulmonary and olfactory functions are affected. It is suggested that the main mechanim of the olfactory dysfunction is caused by the decreased air flow to the olfactory epithelium. In order to develop this function, which has been shown to affect individuals' quality of life significantly, evidence-based behavioral techniques applied by Speech Language Therapists are used. In speech rehabilitation of individuals with total laryngectomy, three methods are used: esophageal speech, voice prosthesis and artificial larynx. While these methods were compared in many ways; such as speech rate,, risk of infection and cost as far as it is known, no research has been done in terms of olfactory functions between different speech rehabilitation methods. In this thesis study, it was aimed to evaluate the olfactory functions of individuals with total laryngectomy and to investigate whether individuals using different speech rehabilitation methods differ in terms of olfactory functions. The 30 individuals with total laryngectomy aged between 44 to 75 years included in the study were divided into following three groups; esophageal speech, voice prosthesis and artificial larynx. In addition, 10 individuals who had healthy olfactory function and similar age and sex with the participants of total laryngectomy group formed the control group. Participants' olfactory function evaluations were completed by one of the functional olfactory assessment tools "Sniffin Sticks Extended Test" and self-assessment tool after history acquisition. The results of both evaluations showed that odor functions of individuals with total laryngectomy were affected more significantly than the control group. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of Sniffin Sticks test scores. In terms of Sniffing Sticks test composit scores, the esophageal speech group had beter scores than the voice prosthesis group. With regard to the functional odor classification scores, it was observed that the best odor function was in the esophageal group.