TITLE:
Evaluation of Speech Intelligibility of a Cleft Palate Patient with Speech Prosthesis before and after Palatographical Analysis and Prosthesis Modification
AUTHORS:
Nikhil S. Rajan, Lovely Muthiah, Jovita D’souza, Biji Thomas George
KEYWORDS:
Speech Prosthesis, Speech Intelligibility, Palatography, Phonetics, Cleft Palate
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.5 No.6,
June
27,
2017
ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to evaluate the alterations in speech intelligibility in a cleft palate patient, before and after extending and modifying the palatal contour of the existing prosthesis using a correctable wax recording. An eight-year-old girl studying in second grade with a velopharyngeal defect using an obturator reported to the outpatient clinic complaining of lack in clarity of speech. The existing prosthesis was lacking a speech bulb hence it was decided to add the speech bulb to the existing prosthesis and evaluate the speech. Even after the use of speech bulb it was observed that she was unable to pronounce the vowels and words like shoe, vision, cheer, etc. clearly. Hence, a palatography was done using a correctable wax technique and the existing prosthesis was altered accordingly. Great improvement in speech, mastication, and velopharyngeal function was achieved after the palatography alteration of the existing prosthesis.