Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

A Protocol for Comprehensive Assessment of Bulbar Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Published on: February 21, 2011
Vocal quality characteristics in children with cleft palate: a multiparameter approach
K M Van Lierde1, S Claeys, M De Bodt
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium. kristiane.vanlierde@ugent.be
Abstract:
The main purpose of the present study was to examine the vocal quality and to investigate the effects of gender on vocal quality in 28 children with a unilateral or bilateral cleft palate. In this study, the vocal quality was determined using videolaryngostroboscopic and perceptual evaluations, aerodynamic, voice range, acoustic, and dysphonia severity index (DSI) measurements. The DSI is based on the weighted combination of four voice measurements and ranges from +5 to -5 for, respectively, normal and severely dysphonic voices. Additional objectives were to compare the vocal quality characteristics of children with cleft palate with the available normative data and to investigate the impact of the cleft type on vocal quality. Gender-related vocal quality differences were found. The male cleft palate children showed an overall vocal quality of +0.62 with the presence of a perceptual slight grade of hoarseness and roughness. The female vocal quality had a DSI value of +2.4 reflecting a perceptually normal voice. Irrespective of the type of cleft, all subjects demonstrated a significantly lower DSI-value in comparison with the available normative data. The results of the present study have provided valuable insights into the vocal quality characteristics of cleft palate children.
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
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:
Larynx
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids, corniculates, and...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract IV: Auscultation
Breath Sounds
Breath sounds are categorized into vesicular, bronchovesicular, and bronchial.
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding II: Palpation and Auscultation
Palpation Findings
During a respiratory assessment, palpation can reveal several vital abnormalities:
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.

