Can a pharyngeal bulb prosthesis eliminate hypernasal speech in individuals with hypodynamic velopharynx?

Purpose: to investigate the effectiveness of a pharyngeal bulb prosthesis eliminate hypernasality in patients with operated cleft palate presenting diagnosis hypodynamic velopharynx. Methods: twenty palate, ages 11-40 years, velopharynx participated study. Patients had their speech audio recorded twice, and without prosthesis, simultaneously nasometry. Three speech-pathologists rated presence absence hypernasality. Perceptual nasometric data were compared, using McNemar Test (p<0.05). Results: three (15%) presented normal resonance 3 (15%), 9 (45%), 5 (25%), both conditions. Nasometry (≤27% cut off): 1 (5%), scores >27% <27% 2 (10%), 17 (85%), conditions, 1(5%), The comparisons between results not significant (p=1.000). Conclusion: alone is insufficient To this purpose, combination therapy required.