David J Zajac1, Juliana Powell2, Laura Perotta3. 1. Ph.D, CCC-SLP, Professor, Craniofacial Center, Division of Craniofacial and Surgical Care, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 2. MS, SLP-CF, Craniofacial Center, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 3. MS, SLP-CF, VA Hospital, Washington, DC.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Pressure-flow testing provides clinicians with estimates of velopharyngeal (VP) gap size during speech production. Traditionally, adequacy of VP function has been based on absolute area criteria. This clinical focus article provides a brief overview of pressure-flow testing and introduces the PaCE index, a speaker-centered metric to interpret findings. CONCLUSION: The PaCE index provides information on a speaker's ability to achieve VP closure during oral plosives relative to his/her own VP opening during a nasal consonant. This approach provides both clinicians and patients with more meaningful information to interpret pressure-flow findings for both diagnostic and treatment outcome purposes.
PURPOSE: Pressure-flow testing provides clinicians with estimates of velopharyngeal (VP) gap size during speech production. Traditionally, adequacy of VP function has been based on absolute area criteria. This clinical focus article provides a brief overview of pressure-flow testing and introduces the PaCE index, a speaker-centered metric to interpret findings. CONCLUSION: The PaCE index provides information on a speaker's ability to achieve VP closure during oral plosives relative to his/her own VP opening during a nasal consonant. This approach provides both clinicians and patients with more meaningful information to interpret pressure-flow findings for both diagnostic and treatment outcome purposes.
Authors: Houri K Vorperian; Ray D Kent; Mary J Lindstrom; Cliff M Kalina; Lindell R Gentry; Brian S Yandell Journal: J Acoust Soc Am Date: 2005-01 Impact factor: 1.840