Laryngectomy Rehabilitation Through Singing: Good Vibrations

Group singing has a wealth of proven benefits for physical and mental health. In the laryngectomy world, the rehabilitation potential of singing has been compellingly established by trailblazers such as the Shout At Cancer choir. When Dr. Trish Rooney visited a surgical voice restoration clinic at the South-Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, a passing comment about laryngectomy choirs in other countries was all the inspiration she needed to set the stage for Good Vibrations, Ireland’s first laryngectomy choir. 

We held our first rehearsal in September 2024 and began a wonderful adventure of craic, camaraderie and learning. The choir’s first public performance at the SIVUH Head and Neck Patient Information Day in November 2024 was an exciting milestone. 

The impact of Good Vibrations has been significant. Interviews with our choir members revealed profoundly positive effects of taking part, such as increased acceptance of their new voices, peer support, and post-traumatic growth. Clinical measurements of tracheoesophageal voice function showed improvements in sustained phonation and syllables per breath, representing meaningful physiological change. 

We are looking forward to growing Good Vibrations and have several exciting opportunities in the pipeline.

Thanks to Professor Patrick Sheahan and the IHNS for championing Good Vibrations and supporting us to showcase the project at the 2025 Conference.

We would like to acknowledge the generous support of Sentient Healthcare in making this performance possible.

We owe a huge dept to Dr. Thomas Moors from Shout At Cancer for sharing his expertise. Many MTU students have been involved along the way and have contributed hugely to our public performances.

We would like to express our huge gratitude to each of you, especially Eabha O’Sullivan. 

Most importantly we would like to thank our amazing laryngectomy singers, including everyone who has participated in Good Vibrations at any point since the journey began. We are tremendously grateful for your bravery and openness to taking the leap with us. 

By Trish Rooney, MTU and the Speech and Language Therapy team, SIVUH 

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