a tracheostoma valve assembly for use with a tracheostomy tube or a speech prosthesis device includes a tubular housing structure containing a spring biased main valve which , during normal vegetative breathing , will remain open , and which , during normal air flow associated with speech , will close . the valve assembly includes a separate external relief valve which is closed during normal vegetative breathing and speaking and which opens to release the increased air pressure within the tubular housing resulting from a substantially increased air pressure within the valve assembly and automatically closes when the air pressure is reduced in the valve assembly .