Talresultat hos 16-åringar födda med unilateral läpp-, käk- och gomspalt samt jämförelse mellan erfarna och otränade lyssnares bedömningar

Abstract

In this study the speech of adolescents with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and delayed closure of the hard palate was evaluated. Evaluations were made with experienced speech-language pathologists (SLP:s) and lay listeners. The SLP evaluation consisted of typical cleft palate speech variables and some of them were adapted for lay listeners. Attitudes towards the speech of the adolescents were investigated by asking lay listeners if the speech constituted any hindrance to vocational performance. The SLP:s mainly found nasal escape and velopharyngeal impairment (VPI), although to a small degree and extent. The lay listeners mainly found resonance deviations and indistinct speech. The latter was associated with hindrance to vocational performance. In conclusion the adolescents had few speech deviations, according to the SLP:s. The lay listeners found greater deviations. They had difficulties in defining and distinguishing the speech deviations. Still, lay listeners’ evaluations are considered to constitute a valuable complement to the speech evaluations of SLP:s, in bringing new aspects to what defines acceptable speech.