Get the most out of the FreeHands

Key points

• Choose your adhesives carefully. They are all suited to different stoma types and contours.
• Improve the stickiness of your adhesive by warming it in your hands.
• Try to learn how to coordinate your speaking with your breathing.

Introduction

The Provox FreeHands FlexiVoice makes it possible to speak hands-free again after a laryngectomy. To help you get the most out of your device, have a look at these practical tips.

Coordinate breathing and speaking

Good coordination of breathing and speaking is crucial to the quality of your voice.

When speaking, your membrane will close as you breathe out. It is important you learn to control your breath and not use too much force.

Your clinician will have strategies when it comes to managing this new speaking and breathing style.

The power of modulating your voice

You can reduce pressure on your adhesive by ‘modulating’ your voice. This means speaking clearly and keeping your volume low.

Always be mindful of your neck while speaking and try to reduce its outward movement.

Achieve the strongest possible seal

Having a strong seal can help you to go about your day without any leakage around your baseplate.

The Provox Life Stability is the most commonly used adhesive for hands-free speaking with the Provox FreeHands FlexiVoice. It provides the most stable attachment and also fits well with a deeper stoma.

Adhesive placement matters

It’s important that your adhesive fits with your stoma.

First, position the adhesive over your stoma with the liner still on. Once you’re confident with its placement, you can remove the liner.

You should place the adhesive ring just under the lower edge of your stoma and then apply the rest, with the ring as close to the stoma as possible. Work from the inside out and thoroughly press the adhesive onto your skin, making sure to leave no air bubbles.

The stickier the better

Try rubbing your adhesive between your hands before applying it. This activates the adhesive glue and increases the adhesion to your skin.

If you notice your adhesive starting to get less sticky throughout the day, you can gently rub the adhesive onto your skin and wait a few minutes before speaking again.

You can also consider using Provox silicone glue to provide extra stickiness.

A choice for how you voice

The Provox FreeHands FlexiVoice allows you to speak hands-free, or by manually blocking your stoma (through what’s known as ‘finger occlusion’). To do this, simply cover the opening with your finger by applying a light amount of pressure. You’ll find both methods fairly easy to use, and you can try to alternate between them to get used to using them both.

Use finger ‘occlusion’ when you need to speak loudly or