THE EFFECT OF GENDER UPON NASALANCE SCORES AMONG NORMAL ADULT SPEAKERS

Nasometry, Pressure-flow, and fundamental frequency data were obtained from 15 normal female speakers and 15 normal male speakers all of whom were over the age of 18 and had Mid-Atlantic dialects. The nasalance scores and nasal cross-sectional areas of these two groups did not differ. The nasalance scores based on three standardized reading passages were not highly correlated with nasal cross-sectional area or voice fundamental frequency. The clinical significance of these findings is discussed.