Assessment of speech nasality in children with Robin Sequence

Relationship Between Auditory-Perceptual and Objective Measures of Resonance in Children with Cleft Palate: Effects of Intelligibility and Dysphonia

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between auditory-perceptual ratings of resonance and nasometry scores in children with cleft palate. Factors which may impact this relationship were examined including articulation, intelligibility, dysphonia, sex, and cleft-related diagnosis.

DESIGN

Retrospective, observational cohort study.

SETTING

Outpatient pediatric cranio-facial anomalies clinic.

PATIENTS

Four hundred patients <18 years of age identified with CP ± L, seen for auditory-perceptual and nasometry evaluations of hypernasality as well as assessments of articulation and voice.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Relationship between auditory-perceptual ratings of resonance and nasometry scores.

RESULTS

Pearson's correlations indicated that auditory-perceptual resonance ratings and nasometry scores were significantly correlated across oral-sound stimuli on the picture-cued portion of the MacKay-Kummer SNAP-R Test (r values .69 to.72) and the zoo reading passage (r = .72). Linear regression indicated that intelligibility (p ≤ .001) and dysphonia (p = .009) significantly impacted the relationship between perceptual and objective assessments of resonance on the Zoo passage. Moderation analyses indicated that the relationship between auditory-perceptual and nasometry values weakened as severity of speech intelligibility increased (P < .001) and when children presented with moderate dysphonia (p ≤ .001). No significant impact of articulation testing or sex were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Speech intelligibility and dysphonia alter the relationship between auditory-perceptual and nasometry assessments of hypernasality in children with cleft palate. SLPs should be aware of potential sources of auditory-perceptual bias and shortcomings of the Nasometer when following patients with limited intelligibility or moderate dysphonia. Future study may identify the mechanisms by which intelligibility and dysphonia affect auditory-perceptual and nasometry evaluations.

Effect of perceptive-auditory training on the classification of speech hypernasality

PURPOSE

To analyze the effect of auditory-perceptual training by inexperienced speech-language pathologists in the classification of hypernasality in individuals with cleft lip and palate and compare their classification of hypernasality individually, with the gold standard evaluation, before and after this training.

METHODS

Three inexperienced speech-language pathologists used a four-point scale to assess 24 high-pressure speech samples from individuals with cleft lip and palate, before and after auditory-perceptual training. The speech samples corresponded to six samples of each degree of hypernasality. The speech-language pathologists received auditory-perceptual training during the assessments. They had access to anchor samples and immediate feedback of correct answers regarding the degree of hypernasality in training.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the overall percentage of correct answers when comparing before and after the auditory-perceptual training. There was a significant association and agreement of the three evaluators with a gold standard evaluation after training, with an increase in agreement for a single evaluator for absent and mild degrees of hypernasality. The dichotomous analysis of the data showed an increase in the Kappa Index of Agreement of this evaluator. Although there was an increase in the Index of Agreement between evaluators for absent, mild, and severe hypernasality, this increase did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

The auditory-perceptual training provided did not result in a significant improvement in the hypernasality classification for the inexperienced speech-language pathologists, even though the individual data analysis showed that the training favored one of the evaluators. Further studies involving gradual and more extensive auditory-perceptual training may favor the classification of hypernasality by inexperienced SLPs.

The Correlation Between Perceptual Ratings and Nasalance Scores in Resonance Disorders: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Assessment of resonance characteristics is essential in research and clinical practice in individuals with velopharyngeal impairment. The purpose of this study was to systematically review correlations between auditory-perceptual ratings and nasalance scores obtained by a nasometer in individuals with resonance disorders and to identify factors that affected the correlations between these two measures.

METHOD

Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a systematic search was conducted for studies reporting a correlation between nasality ratings and nasalance scores using six electronic databases based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 27 studies were included in this systematic review. Characteristics of study components including participants, types of assessment and stimuli, correlation coefficients, and reliability values of each study were identified, and a narrative synthesis was conducted. The methodological quality of each study was also appraised. The correlation level between nasalance values and nasality ratings varied from nonsignificant to strong (r = .92). The quality rating scores of the selected studies ranged from 44% to 94%, with an average score of 75%.

DISCUSSION

Factors that did or did not affect the varied correlation between nasality ratings and nasalance scores were discussed. Speech stimuli and the listeners' background were associated with correlations between the two measures. In addition, the sex of the speakers could be a factor affecting its correlation. However, the types of perceptual scales and listening conditions did not influence its correlations between the two measures.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.19653207.

Speech Development in Cleft Palate with and without Robin Sequence

BACKGROUND

Robin sequence is defined as the triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and upper airway obstruction. In up to 85 percent, it is associated with cleft palate. Many studies have reported worse speech development in Robin sequence children after cleft palate repair. The authors investigated speech development in isolated Robin sequence with cleft palate versus children with cleft palate only at the age of 5 to 6 years.

METHODS

All Robin sequence children were treated with the Tübingen palatal plate after birth. Data were collected using the German version of the Great Ormond Street Speech Assessment. Audio and video recordings were reviewed and analyzed separately by two blinded senior phoniatricians based on the German version of the Universal Reporting Parameters for Cleft Palate Speech, and scored to enable comparability of speech outcomes.

RESULTS

Forty-four children (Robin sequence, n = 22; cleft palate only, n = 22) were included. Robin sequence children were significantly older at surgery (11.8 months versus 7.1 months; p < 0.001) but younger at study (70.5 months versus 75.2 months; p = 0.035). They also had more severe cleft of the palate (p = 0.006). All children studied showed good to very good speech development without serious impairment. None of the reported parameters on the German version of the Universal Reporting Parameters for Cleft Palate Speech showed significant group differences; the median total score in the Robin sequence group was 23 (interquartile range, 16.5 to 27.5) versus 19 (interquartile range, 17 to 23) in the cleft palate-only group. Statistical analysis revealed no significant effect of group (Z = -1.47; p = 0.14).

CONCLUSIONS

No group differences in speech development were found at age 5 to 6 years. Isolated Robin sequence does not necessarily represent a risk for impaired speech development.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Risk, III.

Influence of speech stimuli in the auditory perceptual identification of hypernasality in individuals with cleft lip and palate

PURPOSE

To investigate the influence of speech stimuli in the auditory perceptual identification of hypernasality in individuals with Cleft Lip and Palate (CLP).

METHODS

Speech samples from 80 individuals with operated unilateral CLP, ages ranged from nine to 17 years (the mean age of: 12y7m), both genders, were edited for this study. Samples were recorded over the production of nine different speech stimuli, including counting and short sentences characterized by oral sounds, one loaded with low pressure consonants and seven loaded with high pressure consonants. Three speech-language pathologists rated the presence or absence of hypernasality while analyzing 864 recordings (80 individuals X 9 stimuli + 144 repeated recordings, for measuring the intra-rater agreement). Intra-rater and inter-rater indexes of agreement were established for all nine stimulus conditions. The indexes of inter-rater agreement were compared using the Z test (p<0.005), with samples comprising significant indexes of agreement interpreted as better stimuli for identifying the hypernasality in these individuals.

RESULTS

Intra-rater agreement for high pressure stimuli with voiced consonants were significantly lower than indexes for other stimuli. Inter-rater agreement between each pair of SLPs ranged from 0.11 (plosive voicing stimuli) to 0.57 (12 short sentences, one of each high pressure consonant). The values of mean inter-rater agreement between all SLPs was 0.47 indicating moderate agreement for identifying hypernasal speech.

CONCLUSION

Speech recordings obtained over the production of longer speech samples including 12 short sentences, for instance one for each high pressure consonant, may favor inter-rater agreement for identifying hypernasality.

Intensive treatment of speech disorders in robin sequence: a case report

PURPOSE

To describe the speech of a patient with Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS) and severe speech disorders before and after participating in an Intensive Speech Therapy Program (ISTP).

METHODS

The ISTP consisted of two daily sessions of therapy over a 36-week period, resulting in a total of 360 therapy sessions. The sessions included the phases of establishment, generalization, and maintenance. A combination of strategies, such as modified contrast therapy and speech sound perception training, were used to elicit adequate place of articulation. The ISTP addressed correction of place of production of oral consonants and maximization of movement of the pharyngeal walls with a speech bulb reduction program. Therapy targets were addressed at the phonetic level with a gradual increase in the complexity of the productions hierarchically (e.g., syllables, words, phrases, conversation) while simultaneously addressing the velopharyngeal hypodynamism with speech bulb reductions.

RESULTS

Re-evaluation after the ISTP revealed normal speech resonance and articulation with the speech bulb. Nasoendoscopic assessment indicated consistent velopharyngeal closure for all oral sounds with the speech bulb in place.

CONCLUSION

Intensive speech therapy, combined with the use of the speech bulb, yielded positive outcomes in the rehabilitation of a clinical case with severe speech disorders associated with velopharyngeal dysfunction in Pierre Robin Sequence.

Influence of gender and age on the Nasality Severity Index 2.0 in Dutch-speaking Flemish children and adults

This study aimed to explore the influence of gender and age on the Nasality Severity Index 2.0 (NSI 2.0), an instrumental multiparametric index to determine hypernasality. Additionally, reference values will be established for this new index. Influence of gender and age on the NSI 2.0 was explored in 80 Flemish-speaking children (4-12 years; 40 boys, 40 girls) and 60 Flemish-speaking adults (18-60 years, 30 men, 30 women) without resonance disorders by determining its incorporated acoustic parameters: nasalance of the vowel/u/and an oral text, determined by a Nasometer, and voice low tone to high tone ratio (VLHR) of the vowel/i/. The equation yields NSI 2.0 = 13.20 - (0.0824 × nasalance/u/(%)) - (0.26 × nasalance oral text (%)) - (0.242 × VLHR/i/4.47*F0 Hz (dB)). No effect of gender or age was found on the NSI 2.0 in children. However, significant differences were found for the NSI 2.0, nasalance of/u/and an oral text between adult men and women. Additionally, an interaction effect between gender and age was found for these parameters. Consequently, separate reference values for the NSI 2.0 in children, adult men and adult women were established. Based on these reference scores, deviation of the NSI 2.0 score in patients with resonance disorders can be defined, which can determine the need for (additional) intervention. Further research can explore the possible influence of language on the index.

Short-term and long-term test-retest reliability of the Nasality Severity Index 2.0

PURPOSE

The Nasality Severity Index 2.0 (NSI 2.0) forms a new, multiparametric approach in the assessment of hypernasality. To enable clinical implementation of this index, the short- and long-term test-retest reliability of this index was explored.

METHODS

In 40 normal-speaking adults (mean age 32y, SD 11, 18-56y) and 29 normal-speaking children (mean age 8y, SD 2, 4-12y), the acoustic parameters included in the NSI 2.0 (i.e. nasalance of the vowel /u/ and an oral text, and the voice low tone to high tone ratio (VLHR) of the vowel /i/) were obtained twice at the same test moment and during a second assessment two weeks later. After determination of the NSI 2.0, a comprehensive set of statistical measures was applied to determine its reliability.

RESULTS

Long-term variability of the NSI 2.0 and its parameters was slightly higher compared to the short-term variability, both in adults and in children. Overall, a difference of 2.82 for adults and 2.68 for children between the results of two consecutive measurements can be interpreted as a genuine change. With an ICC of 0.84 in adults and 0.77 in children, the NSI 2.0 additionally shows an excellent relative consistency. No statistically significant difference was withheld in the reliability of test-retest measurements between adults and children.

CONCLUSION

Reliable test-retest measurements of the NSI 2.0 can be performed. Consequently, the NSI 2.0 can be applied in clinical practice, in which successive NSI 2.0 scores can be reliably compared and interpreted.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The reader will be able to describe and discuss both the short-term and long-term test-retest reliability of the Nasality Severity Index 2.0, a new multiparametric approach to hypernasality, and its parameters. Based on this information, the NSI 2.0 can be applied in clinical practice, in which successive NSI 2.0 scores, e.g. before and after surgery or speech therapy, can be compared and interpreted.

Influência do treinamento dos avaliadores no julgamento perceptivo da hipernasalidade

RESUMO Introdução Alto índice de concordância no julgamento perceptivo da hipernasalidade entre diferentes avaliadores é difícil de ser alcançado. O treinamento prévio dos avaliadores e a padronização dos critérios de análise podem ser estratégias eficazes para minimizar o efeito da subjetividade do julgamento perceptivo e aumentar a concordância entre os avaliadores. Objetivo Investigar a influência do treinamento prévio sobre a concordância entre diferentes avaliadores no julgamento perceptivo da hipernasalidade. Métodos Três fonoaudiólogas experientes analisaram 77 amostras de fala, de indivíduos com fissura de palato reparada. Na primeira etapa, as avaliadoras classificaram a hipernasalidade utilizando seus próprios critérios, em uma escala de quatro pontos. Setenta dias depois, foram submetidas a um treinamento para a definição das amostras utilizadas como referências para o julgamento na etapa seguinte. Na segunda etapa as avaliadoras julgaram as mesmas amostras e classificaram a hipernasalidade com a mesma escala, utilizando como critério as referências definidas no treinamento. Índices de concordância intra e interavaliadores foram estabelecidos nas duas etapas utilizando-se o coeficiente Kappa e foram comparados por meio do teste Z. Resultados Os índices de concordância intra-avaliadores obtidos entre as duas etapas variou de 0,38 para 0,92, com diferença estatisticamente significativa para uma das avaliadoras (p=0,004). O índice de concordância quanto ao grau de hipernasalidade obtido entre as três avaliadoras após o treinamento (0,54) foi significativamente maior do que o obtido antes do treinamento (0,37; p=0,044). Conclusão O treinamento das avaliadoras e a definição de critérios para a classificação da hipernasalidade levam ao aumento do índice de concordância intra e interavaliadores.