Are the placement and orientation of the microphones and partition important for proper nasalance values to be obtained?
Using a handle or headset with a partition resting on the upper lip, measurements of nasalance will vary somewhat with the angle at which the partition meets the face. This is true of all devices employing a partition held against the upper lip. However, when using the Glottal Enterprises OroNasal mask for nasal and oral sound separation, the orientation of the mask handle does not affect the readings, as long as the mask makes contact with the face. Thus, the convenience of the partition and the lack of speech muffling may make it preferable for speech training, classroom demonstration, studies of the singing voice and many clinical measurement applications. For the stability required for some research purposes, the mask may be preferred. The Glottal Enterprises nasalance measurement systems offer the user a choice.
