휴대용 구어압력장치를 이용한 과대비성 음성의 공기역학적 특성 분석

Evaluation of Aerodynamic Features in Hypernasal Speech with a Portable Airflow and Pressure System

Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate a portable airflow and pressure measurement system (PAPMS) capable of simultaneously recording oral pressure and nasal airflow during speech, and to examine its relationship with nasalance in children with repaired cleft palate and velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). Materials and Methods: Twenty children aged 6-8 years who were at least 12 months postpalatal surgery participated in this study. Oral pressure (P_oral) and nasal airflow (F_nasal) during repeated /pa/ syllable production were measured using the PAPMS, while nasalance scores were obtained using the Nasometer II. The PAPMS was designed with an ATmega128 microcontroller to enable synchronized real-time data acquisition. Pearson correlation analysis, multiple linear regression, and Bland–Altman analysis were conducted to evaluate validity and agreement. Results: The mean nasalance was 38.5%, mean P_oral was 3.55 kPa, and mean F_nasal was 8.91 L/min. Nasalance showed a strong negative correlation with P_oral (r= −0.79, p< 0.001) and a strong positive correlation with F_nasal (r=0.82, p<0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the combined aerodynamic variables accounted for 72% of the variance in nasalance. Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated strong agreement between PAPMS measurements and values reported for standard aerodynamic systems. Conclusion: The PAPMS provides accurate and valid quantification of aerodynamic efficiency in speech produced by children with VPI through synchronized measurement of oral pressure and nasal airflow. Its portability, low cost, and strong validity support its clinical applicability for diagnosing and monitoring hypernasality in individuals with repaired cleft palate.