title: A proposal for standardization of speech and hearing evaluations to assess velopharyngeal function.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Madarász Children's Hospital, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hirschberg
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Van Demark
mesh_terms: D001184:Articulation Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012016:Reference Values; D013062:Speech Articulation Tests / Q000592:standards*; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy