Making phone calls, taking a bath and and talking to shop assistants are all things we take for granted.

But for former mechanic Paul Burdett, having his voicebox removed has made these simple tasks almost impossible.

Mr Burdett underwent a laryngectomy 18 months ago, which saw surgeons completely remove his larynx and separate his airway from his mouth, nose and oesophagus.

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Since the five-hour surgery, the 64-year-old has been breathing through a one-inch hole in his neck, known as a stoma.

As a result, the High Street resident cannot speak unless he holds a small device – called an electrolarynx – to his neck.

But the battery operated machine, which works using vibrations in the throat and mouth, has given Mr Burdett a mechanical-sounding voice.

Because of this, he finds it nearly impossible to complete all kinds of everyday tasks, including using the telephone and taking a bath.

VIDEO: Paul's struggle with mechanical voice following surgery

He said: “Communication is very hard and something I would like to get to do more of.

“I tried to call up for my car insurance and she laughed and hung-up, saying it was a dodgy line. I struggle to call anyone, really.

“I don’t talk a lot in public too because when I talk, people look at me.”

The grandfather of 15 is also unable to leave his home if the weather is either wet or too warm.

"I tried to call up for my car insurance and she laughed and hung-up, saying it was a dodgy line. I struggle to call anyone, really" - Paul Burdett

In damp weather his lungs fill with liquid, and when it is drier they can become parched.

It is similarly difficult to bathe as he must keep his stoma covered and cannot soak in a tub due to the risk of drowning.

He first started noticing problems with his throat around six-months before he underwent surgery, but was not immediately concerned as it was just a mild pain.

However, he soon became unable to breathe and was referred to Medway Maritime Hospital, where specialists discovered he had tumours growing around his larynx.

He said: “I’ve never smoked in my life, the doctors kept asking me if I smoke.

“I am convinced it was from my mobile phone; years I worked as a mechanic resting it to my throat, in the exact spot where the tumours grew, while I did stuff with my hands.”

Mr Burdett, who lost his wife Rosemary to cancer in 2005, is hoping to raise awareness about the rare disability and increase understanding surrounding it.

The National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs has meet-ups across the UK. For more information, go to http://www.laryngectomy.org.uk