The Dynamic Dento-palatography System: a new approach for evaluating speech

Abstract

The assessment of speech in patients with craniofacial anomalies is important to develop appropriate treatment strategies to optimize this aspect of oropharyngeal function. The Dynamic Dento-palatography System which uses multi-electrode array sensors to detect tongue position during articulation is described. Three levels of the speech chain, articulatory, auditory and acoustic, may be analysed in an integrated fashion using this instrument; preliminary results are described. These studies suggest that the quality of speech sounds such as 's' and 't' improve post-operatively.