A training method for reduction of hypernasality in speech.

Abstract

Current research results suggest that in patients with velopharyngeal incompetency, one hears less hypernasality in the speech of those who demonstrate active posterior pharyngeal movements on cinéfluorography. By dynamic respiratory studies, it can be shown in this same group of patients that increased pharyngeal wall activity is accompanied by a decrease in nasal air leakage. A corollary to these findings is that anterior movements of the posterior pharyngeal wall, probably working with medial movements of the lateral walls, produce a sphincter at the naso-oral port to decrease nasal air escape; concomitantly, speech hypernasality is decreased. An extension of these is that specific training, in a patient who has the proper anatomic equipment (or nearly so), can reduce velopharyngeal incompetence and hypernasality. Experience has shown, also, that if such a patient is taught how to use his pharynx effectively and voluntarily to maximum advantage, this movement can be conditioned into his higher speech centers.