[Acoustic evaluation of voice in children with cleft palate]

The study presents some problems related to objective methods of evaluation of nasalization due to a cleft palate. A group of 30 children 3-11 years old were referred for evaluation of nasalization through acoustics. The primary factor of children speech disability with cleft palate is velopharyngeal valving malfunction which results in hypernasal voice quality. The hypernasality is one of the most important features of cleft palate speech and its objective evaluation after surgical operation is recommended to assessment of velopharyngeal insufficiency and therapy efficiency prognosis. Some problems in clinical application of acoustical methods of speech nasality evaluation are discussed.