Electrodynamometric evaluation of nasal escape in speech disorders.

A new method of detecting the degree of nasal air emission in patients with speech disorders during "continuous" speech. The method employs the use of an electronic sensor placed in front of the nasal opening, which then picks up nasal escape and transfer it to an electrical signal that is recorded on an LED digital readout. The degree of nasal air emission, as portrayed on the LED, is then charted, permitting differentiation of the various speech disorders. This newly described method of nasal speech evaluation is of the utmost importance in the rehabilitation of patients with speech disorders and has proven to be quick and reliable in clinical use. It is also useful in patient selection for the various reconstructive operative procedures used to correct speech abnormalities. The clinical device is helpful to the speech therapist in detecting nasal speech abnormalities and evaluating the clinical progress of a given patient during speech therapy.