Functional Electrical Stimulation of the Bilaterally Paralyzed Human Larynx

Inclusion Criteria: * Provision of signed and dated informed consent form. * Willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study. * Male or female adult patients, 22 years of age or older. * Diagnosis of one of the following at least ten months prior to study enrollment: * Complete bilateral vocal fold paralysis, with suspected etiological event occurring at least ten months prior to study enrollment. Diagnosis will be documented via medical records and confirmed during the onsite screening visit by a Vanderbilt board certified laryngologist via endoscopy, electromyography and direct laryngoscopy. * Incomplete bilateral vocal fold paralysis (severe paresis) which significantly impedes respiration may also be considered for participation under the same conditions and per physician recommendation. Patients must present with an NGA less than 20, representing severe laryngeal obstruction. Diagnosis will be documented via medical records and confirmed during the onsite screening visit by a Vanderbilt board certified laryngologist via endoscopy, electromyography, and direct laryngoscopy. * Patients receiving repeated botulinum toxin (botox) injections into the thyroarytenoid muscle to treat BVFP may be eligible for participation per physician recommendation. * Demonstrated glottal opening bilaterally (abductory response) upon percutaneous needle stimulation of PCA muscles (i.e. mean NGA ≥0.05 per vocal fold tested). * Patients who ha…