Residual hypernasality in repaired cleft palate

Abstract

This article reviews selected components of the speech process in children with a repaired cleft palate in order to provide the speech-language pathologist with a framework for decision-making in the selection of appropriate identification and management strategies. Discussion is offered which intends to clarify the phenomena of velopharyngeal valving, nasality, and hypernasality. With an understanding of these fundamental phenomena, suggestions are proposed for management approaches which may be applied to the more common bases of hypernasality in children with repaired clefts.