The perceptual and instrumental assessment of nasality and nasal airflow errors associated with velopharyngeal dysfunction

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a reliable and valid perceptual profile for the assessment of nasality and nasal airflow errors in speech. To date, clinicians rely on simple categorical or numerical scales of nasality and nasal airflow errors to assess speech. Such scales provide limited information on the type or degree of the presenting speech problems. I'his new scale aimed to describe the nature and the degree of these characteristics, thus improving reliability and validity. The second aim of the study was to assess the validity of the Perceptual Profile using instrumental assessment for investigations of nasality and nasal airflow errors and thus develop a protocol for assessment of nasality and nasal airflow errors in speech.