Photodetector assessment of velopharyngeal activity.
Five normal speakers were used to test a novel photodetector apparatus for obtaining continuous and instantaneous recordings of velopharyngeal area during speech. The results indicate that this inexpensive instrument is able to "track" changes in velopharyngeal port size. A high correlation was found between photodetector output and velopharyngeal port size, as determined using pressure-flow measurements. Its potential use in conjunction with nasopharyngoscopic assessment and in biofeedback training is discussed.
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000502:physiology*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000502:physiology*; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology