Resonance Disorders Affecting Speech
The Velopharyngeal Dysfunction Clinic staff at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center provides information about speech problems associated with resonance.
What is resonance?
Resonance is the quality of the voice that results from sound vibrations in the pharynx (throat), oral cavity (mouth) and nasal cavity (nose). The relative balance of sound vibration in these cavities determines whether the quality of the speech and voice is perceived as normal, or as abnormal due to a type of "nasality."
What is hypernasality (hypernasal resonance)?
Hypernasality occurs when too much sound resonates (vibrates) in the nasal cavity (nose) during speech. This type of resonance makes the patient sound as if he or she is talking through the nose. This can be due to an abnormal opening between the nose and the mouth during speech due to velopharyngeal dysfunction.
What is hyponasality (hyponasal resonance)?
Hyponasality occurs when there is not enough sound resonating (vibrating) in the nasal cavity (nose) during speech. This type of resonance makes the patient sound "stopped up." This can be due to blockage or congestion in the throat or nose.
What is cul de sac resonance?
Cul de sac resonance occurs when sound resonates (vibrates) in the throat or nose, and is trapped in that area with no outlet. The speech is perceived as muffled due to the fact that the sound is stuck in a cavity with no direct means of escape. The cause of cul de sac resonance can vary, but it is usually due to an area of blockage somewhere in the throat or nose.
What other speech problems are associated with resonance disorders?
Nasal emission (including a nasal rustle or nasal snort) can be associated with hypernasality. Nasal air emission refers to the audible release of the air pressure through the nasal cavity and nose during speech.
Abnormal articulation (speech sound production) is also common in patients with resonance disorders. If the child loses sound and air pressure through the nose, he or she may be unable to produce sounds normally in the mouth. Therefore, the child may learn to produce sounds in an alternate way (compensatory articulation) by using the air pressure in the throat for speech.
For more information about the Velopharyngeal Dysfunction(VPD) Clinic or to make a referral, please call Angela Davis, 513-636-0336.
