Digitized evaluation of speech intelligibility using vowels in maxillectomy patients

Abstract

Background

Among the functional disabilities that patients face following maxillectomy, speech impairment is a major factor influencing quality of life. Proper rehabilitation of speech, which may include prosthodontic and surgical treatment and speech therapy, requires accurate evaluation of speech intelligibility (SI). A simple, less time-consuming yet accurate evaluation is desirable both for maxillectomy patients and the various clinicians providing maxillofacial treatment.

Objective

This study sought to determine the utility of digital acoustic analysis of vowels for the prediction of SI in maxillectomy patients, based on a comprehensive understanding of speech production in the vocal tract of maxillectomy patients and its perception.

Methods

Speech samples were collected from 33 male maxillectomy patients (mean age 57.4 years) in two conditions, without and with a maxillofacial prosthesis, and formant data for the vowels /a/, /e/, /i/, /o/, and /u/ were calculated based on linear predictive coding. The frequency range of formant 2 (F2) was determined by differences between the minimum and maximum frequency. An SI test was also conducted to reveal the relationship between SI score and F2 range. Statistical analyses were applied.

Results

F2 range and SI score were significantly different between the two conditions without and with a prosthesis (both p < 0.0001). F2 range was significantly correlated with SI score in both the conditions (Spearman's r = 0.843, p < 0.0001; r = 0.832, p < 0.0001, respectively).

Conclusion

These findings indicate that calculating the F2 range from 5 vowels has clinical utility for the prediction of SI after maxillectomy.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

from ! ORL Sfakianakis via paythelady.61 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2jdfHEy
via IFTTT