The Palatal Closure Efficiency Index: A New Speaker-Centered Aerodynamic Metric for the Evaluation of Velopharyngeal Function During Speech

Abstract

Purpose Pressure-flow testing provides clinicians with estimates of velopharyngeal (VP) gap size during speech production. Traditionally, adequacy of VP function has been based on absolute area criteria. This clinical focus article provides a brief overview of pressure-flow testing and introduces the palatal closure efficiency index, a speaker-centered metric to interpret findings. Conclusions The palatal closure efficiency index provides information on a speaker's ability to achieve VP closure during oral plosives relative to his/her own VP opening during a nasal consonant. This approach provides both clinicians and patients with more meaningful information to interpret pressure-flow findings for both diagnostic and treatment outcome purposes.