Normative data on nasalance scores for French speaking children.

Introduction: The objectives of this study are to establish normative nasalance values in European French for children aged 8-10 years, to study the factors likely to influence nasalance values, and to ensure that the nasometer allows the differentiation of control subjects from subjects with velopharyngeal insufficiency.

Methods: Nasal balance scores were calculated using the Nasometer II 6450 (KayPENTAX) for 50 control subjects producing 31 verbal stimuli specifically designed for the French language. Nasalance scores were analyzed and compared with 7 subjects with velopharyngeal insufficiency.

Results: This study provided nasalance norms for each verbal stimulus. The phonetic content of the stimuli (nasality, vowel height, voicing) was a major factor influencing the nasalance score. However, the characteristics of the speaker (gender and age) had a non-significant effect, with the major exception of the presence or absence of velopharyngeal insufficiency.

Conclusion: This study confirmed the need to use established normative values in the patient's language and for each verbal stimulus. Although the effect of vowel height on the nasalance score has been demonstrated, this study is the first to show an effect of voicing. Once normative nasalance scores are established, a validation study with a larger pathological population will be necessary. This study establishes normative nasalance scores in European French in children.