The Effects of Nasal Surgeries on the Acoustics of Nasal Consonants

Abstract

Objectives: In this study, it is aimed to examine the effects of septoplasty, functional endoscopic sinus surgery and septorhinoplasty on the acoustics of Turkish nasal consonants. Methods: The prospective study was conducted by taking voice recordings of 72 patients preoperative, 1st and 3rd months postoperative and based on changes in nasalance values. Patients were asked to read aloud the predetermined speech materials. The speech materials were recorded and analyzed using the Praat Assisted Nasalance Meter (PANM) system. The effect of the type of surgery was investigated for the change of nasalance values in the 1st and 3rd months after surgery compared to the preoperative value. Results: Septoplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery groups showed significant increases in nasal consonants and nasal sentence nasalance values in both male and female after surgery compared to the preoperative value. (p<0.05) In the septorhinoplasty group, no significant changes were observed in the values after surgery compared to the preoperative value in male patients (p>0.05). In the female septorhinoplasty group, nasalance values decreased after surgery compared to the preoperative value, but no significant differences were detected. (p>0.05). Conclusion: Comprehensive information about the potential for resonance changes following rhinological surgery should be provided to professional voice users. Clear communication of results can support more informed decision making, manage patient expectations, and reduce the risk of postoperative dissatisfaction with voice quality.