Devising an Objective Nasal Vibration Test for Nasal Resonatory Disorders

The present study investigates the clinical applicability of a new device which objectively measures nasal resonating vibration via piezoelectric vibratory sensor from 10 normal volunteers, 10 patients with definite hypernasality and 10 nasal polyposis patients. For the assessment of the hypernasality, the ratio of 'ng' to 'a' as well as that of 'mama' to 'papa' passages were used. For the evaluation of hyponasality, the ratio of nasal vibration post- to pre-induced cul-de-sac resonation was calculated. In the control group, the ratio of ng/a and mama/papa passages was larger than 8, while in the hypernasality group, the ratio was markedly lower. The vibratory signals of 'a' and 'ng' increased markedly in the control group and the hypernasality group after inducing cul-de-sac resonation, while in the hyponasality group, the change was minimal.