title: Speech evaluation of velopharyngeal dysfunction.
abstract: This article reviews concepts basic to the evaluation of the speech of persons with velopharyngeal dysfunction. It defines velopharyngeal dysfunction as well as reviews normal and abnormal velopharyngeal function for speech. It defines the common speech characteristics of persons with velopharyngeal dysfunction, including hypernasality, hyponasality, nasal emission, compensatory articulations, and weak pressure consonants. Speech sounds commonly impacted by velopharyngeal dysfunction are discussed. This article identifies the components of a complete speech evaluation as well as identifies anatomic and physiologic measurements of palatal function used to corroborate perceptual speech judgments indicating palatal problems. It identifies special considerations in the evaluation of persons with suspected velopharyngeal dysfunction. It briefly discusses management of velopharyngeal dysfunction. Review questions follow the article.
authors.affiliation: Division of Speech Pathology, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Craniofacial Center, University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. bsmith@uic.edu
authors.forename: Bonnie E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Kuehn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D013068:Speech Production Measurement / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013066:Speech-Language Pathology / Q000193:education; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D014833:Voice Quality