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Velopharyngeal function during vocalization in infants.

Stacey A Thom1, Jeannette D Hoit, Thomas J Hixon

  • 1Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA.

The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal : Official Publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association
|September 22, 2006
PubMed
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Infants develop velopharyngeal closure for speech-like sounds between 2 and 6 months. This ability increases with age but is not fully developed by 6 months, suggesting ongoing development in early infancy.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Speech-Language Pathology
  • Pediatric Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Velopharyngeal closure (VPC) is crucial for speech production.
  • Understanding infant VPC development is essential for identifying potential impairments early.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the age of velopharyngeal closure achievement in infants during vocalization.
  • To investigate the developmental trajectory of VPC from 2 to 6 months of age.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study with repeated measures in a laboratory setting.
  • Six healthy infants were assessed monthly from 2 to 6 months.
  • Velopharyngeal closure was determined by sensing nasal ram pressure during vocalizations.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

  • The velopharynx remained open during non-speech vocalizations (windups, whimpers, laughs) and closed during pressure-generating vocalizations (cries, screams, raspberries) across all ages.
  • The frequency of VPC during speech-like utterances significantly increased with infant age.
  • VPC for speech-like utterances was not complete by 6 months of age.

Conclusions:

  • Infant velopharyngeal closure for speech-like utterances develops progressively between 2 and 6 months.
  • The pressure demands of vocalizations may influence VPC, though this is more evident in non-speech sounds.
  • The study presents a promising method for assessing infants with potential velopharyngeal dysfunction.