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Velopharyngeal sphincter physiology in deaf individuals
1Departmento de Foniatria, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea Gonzalez, Mexico, D.F.
Summary
Deaf individuals may experience velopharyngeal sphincter dysfunction due to a lack of auditory feedback. Visual biofeedback shows promise for treating this speech disorder in the deaf population.
Area of Science:
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Deafness can impact speech production.
- Velopharyngeal function is crucial for normal speech resonance.
- Auditory feedback plays a role in regulating speech mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate velopharyngeal function in deaf subjects.
- To explore the relationship between hearing loss, hypernasality, and velopharyngeal muscle activity.
- To identify potential functional disorders of the velopharyngeal sphincter in deaf individuals.
Main Methods:
- Speech evaluation, pure-tone audiometry, videonasopharyngoscopy, multiview videofluoroscopy, and electromyography were used.
- Fifty-three deaf subjects were assessed.
- Subjects were grouped based on hypernasality severity.
Main Results:
- Velopharyngeal muscle activity and closure patterns were similar across groups.
- Subjects with severe hypernasality showed impaired velopharyngeal valving during speech.
- This impairment occurred despite normal electromyographic muscle activity.
Conclusions:
- Deaf subjects may have a functional velopharyngeal sphincter disorder due to absent auditory regulation.
- This disorder affects speech rhythm and strength.
- Visual biofeedback via videonasopharyngoscopy may aid in treatment.