20 likes | 156 Views
hearing and speech problem. Speech development is adversely affected by the presence of fistulae in the palate and by velopharyngeal insufficiency (where the soft palate is not able to make an adequate contact with the back of the pharynx to close off the nasal airway).
E N D
Speech development is adversely affected by the presence of fistulae in the palate and by velopharyngeal insufficiency (where the soft palate is not able to make an adequate contact with the back of the pharynx to close off the nasal airway). • A cleft involving the posterior part of the hard and soft palate will also involve the tensor palati muscles. which act on the Eustachian tube. • This predisposes the patient to problems with middle-ear ventilation (known colloquially as 'glue ear'). Obviously, hearing difficulties will also retard a child's speech development. • Therefore management of the child with a cleft involving the posterior palate must include audiological assessments and myringotomy with or without grommets as indicated.