Male patient lying in hospital bed with a Vocolair speaking valve in line

Helping Ventilated Patients Find Their Voice 

Vocolairis an in-line speaking valve for tracheostomized patients receiving mechanical ventilation or High-Flow Oxygen Therapy (HFOT). It restores speech by redirecting exhaled airflow through the upper airway while maintaining continuous respiratory support.

Giving patients the ability to speak earlier improves dignity, supports mental health, and enhances clinical outcomes. It is also increasingly recognized as an important quality-of-care metric in both critical and long-term care settings. Studies show that enabling communication during mechanical ventilation can reduce anxiety and delirium, improve patient satisfaction, and even shorten ICU stays.

Vocolair™ automatically adapts to the patient’s cuff status, making communication simple without interrupting respiratory support.

  • Cuff Deflated: Functions as a speaking valve, directing exhaled airflow through the upper airway so patients can speak.
  • Cuff Inflated: Remains in-line within the ventilator circuit, allowing normal airflow with minimal resistance and no interruption to ventilation.
  • Seamless Transitions: Clinicians can move between ventilation and speech without removing the device or breaking the circuit.
  • The Result: Continuous ventilation, a simpler clinical workflow, and clear, reliable patient communication.
See How Vocolair™ Works