[Detecting normal values of nasalance scores in 7-11- year-old boys]

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study detecting normative nasalance scores for 7-11- year-old male students in Mashhad during incessant speech. Participants consist of 26 boys aged 7-11 years with normal articulation skills, resonanceand voice and speech structure were randomly selected from different regions of Mashhad and voluntarily had participated in the study. The test was run by NasometerII [model 6450] inspeech therapy clinic of Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad. Subjects read the following Persian texts of which their validity and reliability have been determined 1."Bahareh's Bag" [made from oral consonants] 2.the text combines "four seasons" [with normal frequency of nasal consonants] 3.and nasal sentences [loaded with nasal consonants]. Nasalance means in the text "Bahareh's Bag", 12.13 +/- 4, in the text "four seasons", 30.68 +/- 4.8 and 61.5 +/- 5.7 in the nasal sentences were calculated. The results of this study have not found any statistical significance for difference in age. Normal nasalance means are calculated at one accent of Persian language, in 7-11- year-old students. Valid and reliable texts were produced [four seasons and nasal sentences] to evaluate nasalance. Given data and standard sentences can apply in speech pathology clinics for assessment and treatment of voice resonance deficit in [cleft palate, velopharyngeal Insufficiency etc.]