We had our family reunion on the 19th of July. This is the first time I have been able to enjoy talking in a crowd of people. Everyone seemed to enjoy talking with me. I did not have my voice give out on me one time. This is the first time I could be part of a big gathering in over 40 years. It was very nice to be able to keep up with everyone. Thanks again for all your help in getting my Speak-EZ cannula. You will never know how much better my life is now.

I wear it with pride, it has made
my life so much better.
Darlene Tarleton, 3-17-11

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Last Monday was the install date for my Speak EZ (without the speaking valve). I had this installed because I was not tolerating a standard trach. I was feeling like I was being suffocated and was getting recurrent infections because I couldn't clear my lungs. My general care practitioner, pulmonologist, and infectious disease doctor all agreed the common thread was my trach.

When I first received the Speak EZ I looked at it and didn't honestly believe that it would work and that I wouldn't cough it out (you asked for honest). The initial insertion was done by my ENT in his office. It went as well as any other initial trach installation since I have a very sensitive and spontaneously closing stoma. However, within 5 minutes of insertion I could already tell a difference in my breathing. The following day infectious disease released me from care since my breathing had improved.

I no longer sleep with humidified air due to less secretions. My wife is very happy that there is no odor when I unplug at night. My voice also sounds closer to normal and I don't cough nearly as much as I did with previous trachs.

Just a few side notes: Technical Products of Georgia does not deal with any medical insurance but they will provide a paper receipt that you can submit. It took two days for my trach to get to me after ordering (normal shipping to PA). Michelle LaBoon is very easy to deal with; when you ask her something she does not know she will get you the answers very promptly. It's not like working with my standard DME supplier. The unit is low profile and clear in color so it does not attract as much attention as my previous trachs. Because of the low profile my shower bib fits better and it is easier to shower.

As of this time, the only word of caution I can give is when unplugging make sure you hold the sides of the trach so you don't pull it out! Yes, the plug does seat that well.

Vance Eppley III
5/10/2011

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I have had a trach since November, 1999 due to bilateral vocal cord paralysis caused from thyroid surgery. Prior to the Speak-EZ, which I’ve now had for over five years, I had two other types of trach tubes. I have found the Speak-EZ a tremendous improvement over both. These are the things I like about the Speak-EZ. It is very comfortable, easy to insert, fits flat, has no plate to rub, requires no collar and is long wearing. I get more air because of its thin walled construction, and thus I am able to do more things. Both mucus and coughing are greatly reduced. Coughing is no longer violent. It fits so well, it is rarely coughed out.

Even showering is not a problem because of the flat fit. I no longer suction, but instead pull out the trach and blow my neck. I know this isn’t something most people can do, but it works well for me. Prior to using the Speak EZ, I was often sick with colds and infections. Caring for the Speak- EZ is simple, just soak it in a little peroxide and water. While it soaks, I flush my trach with a saline bullet. I do this morning and night, to get rid of any junk. I think this is something else that keeps me healthy.

The built-in speaking valve improves both voice quality and volume. Unless someone is looking directly at me, I’ve often heard the comment, “I would have never known you had a trach, if you hadn’t mentioned it.” I think that is a real tribute. The Speak-EZ has truly given me my life back. I would highly recommend it.

Mary Ellen Levy
May 10, 2011

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We are absolutley thrilled with this device in every way.

My 13 year old son, Alex, was born with Treacher Collins syndrome and has been trached since birth. Throughout the years we a have used a number of trach tubes by various manufacturers. When he started to grow, the "stock" trach tubes did not fit his anatomy and placement of his stoma. We were able to find a company that designed and manufactured a trach tube to fit Alex. These worked well for about 3 years. After this time we needed to replace the tubes. The manufacturer was no longer able to produce the custom trach so I began the search for a medical company that made specific silicone equipment.

After contacting Technical Products, Inc. of GA., USA, about the prospect of recreating a tracheostomy tube, Michelle contacted me within a day to discuss my problem. She talked with her design staff and said that this would not be a device that they would be able to reproduce, but they did have a device that I might be interested in, The Speak-EZ canula. Michelle was very helpful in getting us what we needed to have Alex fitted for a device. In the end, we found the correct size for Alex and the Speak-EZ worked beautifully. This device has solved all of his previous problems with a trach. There is no more bothering with trach ties and the trying to control the rash created by the silicone neck flanges It is practically invisible, therefore improving my son's self-esteem, which we noticed right away.

Functionally, the Speak-EZ provides a tighter seal to his stoma, therefore giving him more volume and improving his speech. Alex says that it is very comfortable and he likes being able to take a shower with the nighttime stent with the plug. It creates a pretty tight seal and keeps spraying water out of his trach
I am very thankful I was able to find Technical Products, Inc. Alex loves the device and its simplicity. As a 13 year old boy, he easily takes care of the cleaning and changing devices for night time. This is something he needed help with when using the trach and ties and speaking valves. Combined with an excellent product, Technical Products, Inc.'s outstanding customer service made my experience a very rewarding one. I look forward to dealing with them in the future.

David Dethero

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I have been wearing a tracheal tube of one type or another since October of 95. I started with a hard plastic unit and went to metal tubes when I started having lots of problems with granulation tissue as my stoma site. I am a very active person and as I was able to do more and more physical activities the curved tubes were causing erosion problems in my trachea. I swapped to a Montgomery tube and even though the relief was immediate in that the erosion problems and pain went away, a new painful problem arose. When I had to pull and replace the Montgomery tube the trauma and pain at the stoma site was a painful and unpleasant experience.

In mid 2006 Linda Oberrender, BNS, MHA, RN, CORLN, from Texas Center for Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Eugene Alford, MD, FACS, emailed me some literature on the TPI tracheal cannula and my world changed for the better. It took us a few tries to get the correct size but I have been very happy with how the unit fits and performs.

The ease of and the painless removal/replacement of the tube is quite a blessing. I am a cyclist, thus my head has to be on a swivel as I cruise the roads in my area and there are no problems with something jabbing me or friction issues which can cause irritation. The unit is so easy to remove and replace that I have on occasion stopped on the road and cleaned/flushed and replaced it. When my first unit arrived the material was so thin and soft that my first thought was no way this thing is going to stay in place. I was wrong. I can't end this testimonial without praising the efforts of TPI in making sure that I had the correct size and was 100% satisfied. I also have Linda Oberrender to thank for finding this great product for me.

Roberto Morales
Lake Jackson, TX