Noëlle Klein talks about getting her voice back after a laryngectomy
Women make up only a small percentage of total laryngectomies, and Noëlle Klein wanted to share her experiences for other women who may be in the same position. Several years ago, Noëlle had a total laryngectomy and we recently sat down with her to understand how it has changed her life, her voice and what she has done to make living with a stoma easier.
How did you experience the procedure?
In the beginning, it was very difficult and then afterwards I really took control because I had the support of my friends and the rehabilitation center. I think that as a person with a laryngectomy, what you are looking for is a voice.
A good support network was the secret ingredient that let Noelle Klein regain control of her voice – and her life. After her operation, Noelle was facing the challenges of adjusting to her new reality. A challenge that was exacerbated by the fact she did not have a voice prosthesis.
Well, as far as my voice is concerned, it was very difficult, because I didn’t have a voice prosthesis at first.
I had one placed later, two years after my operation, so I spoke for two years with an esophageal voice. And now I speak with a tracheo-esophageal and esophageal voice.
I had a lot of trouble with this, and when I had my voice prosthesis put in, I think I was trying to get back my old voice, which is something that didn’t happen. But now, I’m completely used to my voice, the one I have now. It’s my identity.
Some people may hear the new voice as more masculine, and be quick to address you as a male, but this is quickly overcome by smiling or simply ignoring the statement. Or in Noelle’s own words:
"Women have to ignore their voice and tell themselves “I will have a man’s voice” because people will always say to them ‘Hello, Sir.’ When that happens, you look at the person and give them a big smile, and it’s over with quickly.”
It wasn’t just a new voice that she had to get used to, but also a new appearance. Noelle uses a selection of colorful scarves and handkerchiefs to cover her stoma when she’s out and about.
At the beginning, it was the stoma that really scared me, because I told myself my image as a woman was going to be completely changed. But nowadays, there are a lot of ways to hide it. You just have to be good with your hands, a little resourceful, and you can find some pretty things to hide the stoma.
Do some sewing or find a friend who can make attractive things. Wear scarves, make them look nice. And I even think that the more you wear around your neck, the less you attract attention.
What advice do you have for other women who have had (or are having) a laryngectomy?
My advice for other women who have to have a laryngectomy is to get a laryngectomy, because afterwards, there is another life. You have to have a certain control over your body, but the body is well made, so it reacts and gives us a lot of things that we didn’t know about, whether in terms of speaking or in manual activities.
There are some things that you couldn’t believe you could do before.
Thank you, Noëlle for sharing your experience with us. You can watch the video of this interview here:
Everybody is different. Please talk to your HCP about any questions that you have about the procedure and how it will affect your specific case.Find your local ATOS representative here to learn more about Provox or Provox Life products.
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