Nasality of speech and nasometry in labiopalatine cleft

Author(s)

Fabiane Rodrigues Larangeira

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Bauru.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB/SDB)
• Defense date: 2014-12-05

Examining board members

Maria Ines Pegoraro Krook; Jeniffer de Cassia Rillo Dutka; Viviane Cristina de Castro Marino

• Advisor: Maria Ines Pegoraro Krook

Abstract

Introduction: The perceptual evaluation is considered the first method to diagnose the velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) and, being subjective, there are many controversies about the use of this form of assessment as the only means to assess speech resonance. Therefore, the use of objective instrumental measurements as the nasometry, for example, has been recommended. However, there is still a lack of standardization of tests used, the realization of reliability between the methods for most clinical and scientific credibility is required. Objectives: To describe and compare the results of nasality of speech of individuals with cleft lip and palate, obtained through the perceptual auditory judgment performed live with the 4-point scale, Test Cul-de-Sac of Hypernasality (THIPER), auditory-perceptual judgment of audio recordings by judges and nasometry. To establish sensitivity, specificity and overall efficiency of nasometer. Material and Methods: The sample consisted of 331 patients (both genders), with unilateral cleft lip and palate operated between 9 and 18 months of age, by three surgeons (C1, C2 and C3). Data from the perceptual auditory judgment performed live with a 4-point scale, the THIPER and the nasometry were collected from the medical records of each patient, and data from the judgment by judges were made from recordings of sentences containing low pressure consonants performed previously in those patients. All evaluations and collected recordings were done between 5 and 13 years (mean 8 years) old. The cutoff limit for the sensitivity and specificity of nasometer was 27%. Results: The same percentage of the absence of hypernasality, 83%, was observed in the perceptual judgment performed live and in the THIPER for patients operated by C1, 73% by C2, and 81 by C3. The percentages obtained by the judgements made by the judges were 70% for those operated by C1, 54% by C2 and 73% by C3. The percentages obtained by nasometry were 66% for those operated by C1, 52% by C2, and 52% by C3. There was no significant difference between the modalities of the judgement performed live and the THIPER, and between the judgment made from tape recordings and nasometry. The Kappa agreement between the methods of assessment varied between 70% and 95% (K = 0.24 to 0.86), ranged from almost perfectly to regular. Sensitivity, specificity and overall efficiency of nasometry ranged from 0.51 to 0.79, 0.81 to 0.96, and from 0.71 to 0.82, respectively. Conclusions: The results have shown that the nasometer sensitivity indexes were lower for patients of the C1 and C3, and greater specificity for patients of C3, which demonstrated that the cut-off value of 27% maximized the specificity of nasometer. There was a higher agreement (almost perfect) between the live perceptual judgment and THIPER for patients of the three surgeons has shown that live perceptual judgment and THIPER have good validity for clinical evaluation of hypernasality, with the disadvantage that the data can not be reproduced, quantified or shared by other team members. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/16062-2 - Agreement between perceptual judgments of speech resonance and nasalance scores in individuals with cleft lip and palate
• Grantee: Fabiane Rodrigues Larangeira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master