Question of the Week: Do You Use a Speaking Valve? Life with a Vent 

Thank you so much for sharing. I am so glad your dad was able to speak using the speaking valve.

Thank you for your kindness and support.

Thank you so much.

That is a great question. I adjust the settings on my ventilator. I increase the inspiration pressure and decrease the time the ventilator gives me a breath in. This way, the ventilator gives me a breath quickly which allows me to speak more fluidly without being interrupted by the ventilator giving me a breath in.

@@LifewithaVent I see! Thanks for the response!

Hello! I am a speech language pathologist. I just came across your page today as the facility I work at has a few pts with trachs and I’ve been trying to do some research. I completed some training in school, but it was all powerpoint lectures (no videos or hands on training) and I haven’t had a chance to use the info I obtained until now. I am so glad I found your channel and am excited to learn more, a majority of staff at my facility (myself included) have no or minimal trach experience and are hesitant to work with them as a result. I did not realize how common of an issue it was until looking at your channel, and how much self advocacy, research, and prior medical knowledge you needed to get where you are today and to get and maintain a medical team. I have not looked through all your videos yet, but would love to see a video of you changing the vent settings and any tips you’ve leaned along the way for voicing and eating. I would love to share your channel to the families I work with and slowly go through your videos as I have the time to do so. This channel is so helpful and more informative than most trainings I have been able to find. Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the time to create these videos and share them with the world.

Thank you.

Thank you for sharing.

Yes. I keep my cuff inflated for most of the day. When I need to speak, I deflate it.