Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 30, 2026

Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Perceptual evaluation of speech and velopharyngeal function in children with and without cleft palate and the
Hans Dotevall1, Anette Lohmander-Agerskov, Hasse Ejnell
1Department of Logopedics and Phoniatrics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. hans.dotevall@vgregion.se
Objectives:
The aim was to study the relationship between perceptual evaluation of speech variables related to velopharyngeal function and the pattern of nasal airflow during the velopharyngeal closing phase in speech in children with and without cleft palate.
Participants:
Fourteen children with cleft lip and palate or cleft palate only and 15 controls aged 7 and 10 years. All were native Swedish speakers.
Method:
Three experienced listeners performed a blinded perceptual speech evaluation. Nasal airflow was transduced with a pneumotachograph attached to a nasal mask. The duration from peak to 5% nasal airflow, maximum flow declination rate, and nasal airflow at selected points in time during the transition from nasal to stop consonants in bilabial and velar articulatory positions in sentences were estimated. The analysis was focused on the perceptual ratings of "velopharyngeal function" and "hypernasality."
Results:
A strong association was found between ratings of "velopharyngeal function" and "hypernasality" and the pattern of nasal airflow during the bilabial nasal-to-stop combination /mp/. Both the sensitivity and specificity were 1.00 for the bilabial temporal airflow measure in relation to ratings of "velopharyngeal function." The nasal airflow rate during /p/ in /mp/ had a sensitivity of 1.00 and specificity of 0.92 to 0.96 in relation to ratings of "hypernasality."
Conclusion:
Assessment of the nasal airflow dynamics during the velopharyngeal closing phase in speech presents quantitative, objective data that appear to distinguish between perceptually normal and deviant velopharyngeal function with high sensitivity and specificity.
Related Concept Videos
Perceiving Language Sounds and Structure During Infancy
Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Suctioning the Oropharyngeal Airway
After assembling the equipment, the nurse should practice hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE according to infection control guidelines to avoid the...
Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding II: Palpation and Auscultation
Palpation Findings
During a respiratory assessment, palpation can reveal several vital abnormalities:
