Development and Usefulness of Hypernasality Control Device: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare nasalance scores of the experimental paragraphs and sentences with and without ‘Hypernasality Control Device (HCD)’ and to determine the degree of foreign body sensation and pain with HCD. A 44-year-old normal adult woman wore type I and type II HCD, and then she was asked to read aloud the experimental paragraphs and sentences. Using a Nasometer, the nasalance scores were measured. The subject responded to a questionnaire with 5-point scale to measure the degree of foreign body sensation and pain after wearing two types of HCD. In all experimental paragraphs and sentences, the nasalance scores with HCD were measured lower than those of without HCD. In addition, there was no foreign body sensation and pain with HCD, or it was at a slight level. These results showed that HCD played a role in regulating nasal resonance in a normal adult woman. It is expected that the HCD will contribute to the control of the nasalance scores in hypernasality subjects. And simplify the production process and continuous modification are required for efficient application and the appropriate HCD size and shape.