Evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of Arabic SNAP test for children with hypernasality

Nasometry is a method of measuring the acoustic correlates of resonance through a computer-based instrument called nasometer. High nasalance scores in comparison to normative data suggest hypernasality and/or other nasality disorders, while low scores suggest hyponasality. Normative values of nasalance for Egyptian Arabic speakers were established using the Arabic SNAP (Simplified Nasometric Assessment Procedures) test.Objectivesto evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Arabic SNAP test to allow for its use in the differentiation between normal and hypernasal speech in Egyptian Arabic-speaking children.MethodsNasalance scores of normal children (n = 92) on Arabic SNAP test were compared to those of 30 children with velopharyngeal insufficiency due to cleft palate. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine cutoff points with the highest sensitivity and specificity.ResultsStatistically significant differences were found between both groups for all items in nasometric evaluation (p < 0.05) except for prolonged/m/sound (p > 0.05). Cutoff points were determined and certain items were selected for routine nasometric evaluation.ConclusionThe Arabic SNAP test is a sensitive and specific tool for evaluation of children with hypernasality and can be used for both diagnosis and follow up of these cases.