Development of Norm Based Checklist for the Assessment of Velopharyngeal Dysfunctioning.

Abstract

Background: To produce oral speech sounds, velum must be retracted and elevated by closing the velopharyngeal mechanism during speech production. Objective: This study was intended to develop an Urdu-language norm-based checklist and gather nasalance scores from normal Urdu-speaking Pakistani children in order to assess velopharyngeal dysfunction. Methods: An exploratory research design was used to collect data from sixty children aged five to twelve years using convenient sampling method.  Speech stimuli included syllables, sounds, words, and sentences that the sample had to imitate. Each participant in the speech clinic of CLAPP Hospital, Lahore was fitted with Nasometer II model 6450 to produce stimuli. The mean nasalaance score was calculated through descriptive analysis and the difference in nasalaance values across genders was determined using the t-test. Results: The nasalance values for /i/ vowel and syllables were higher than /a/ vowel and syllables. Words with oral sounds had lower nasalance score than words with nasal and nasalized phonemes. Phrases with low pressure sounds showed lower mean score as compared to phrases with high pitched, nasal & mixed phonemes. Oral, oro-nasal, and nasal stimuli's cumulative score 13.1 (5.8), oro-nasal 30.7 (6.6), and nasal stimuli 56.9 (9.2) was also identified. Conclusion: Urdu specific norm based nasalance values for five to twelve years old Pakistani children were established. Professionals working with craniofacial anomalies may find this study valuable in determining velopharyngeal insufficiency.

Key Words: Urdu checklist, nasalance score, Pakistani children