A proposal for standardization of speech and hearing evaluations to assess velopharyngeal function

The article comprises the proposal made by the Cleft Palate Committee of IALP to standardize the parameters of the speech and hearing evaluation in individuals with cleft palate/velopharyngeal incompetence (CP/VPI). The suggested parameters are the following: nasal resonance, nasal escape, articulation and its disorders, facial grimacing, speech intelligibility, patient teachability, expressive language and voice. The authors recommend a five-point scale description system, which can be used also for assessment of hearing, velopharyngeal competence and other attributes of the CP/VPI individual. The most important diagnostic procedures are: X-ray (video/cinefluoroscopy), nasopharyngoscopy, nasometry; in dubious cases it is also fundamental to clarify the etiology with electrophysiological methods. The utilization of this proposal might contribute to a more accurate diagnosis and a more effective treatment on an international basis.