Artificial tongue helps cancer survivor speak more clearly

Dr Imogen Brooks says a custom-made artificial tongue has made her speech clearer and less tiring after cancer treatment left her struggling to be understood.

Brooks, from east London, had most of her tongue removed and reconstructed following a head and neck cancer diagnosis. Radiotherapy then shrank the tissue, affecting her speech. She relied on speech assistance technology for phone calls, while misunderstandings complicated medical appointments and work.

After researching artificial tongues, she asked clinicians at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust whether one could help. Speech and language therapist Carolyn Doughty brought together doctors and laboratory technicians to develop a device tailored to Brooks' mouth and speech. Doughty believes it is the first prosthetic of its kind made on the UK's National Health Service.

The team spent months researching and refining the design. A metal frame clips onto her lower teeth, supporting a silicone tongue shaped to help her make as many sounds as possible. Brooks tested trial versions at home and returned with notes to guide improvements.

She noticed better speech within three days and needed about two weeks to adjust. She later passed the oral examination for her doctorate. Everyday conversations have become easier too. Her grandmother, who is hard of hearing, could follow her speech better, with less need for hand gestures.