Why Does My Child Sound Nasal When Speaking? Understanding Hypernasal Speech and Soft Palate Problems Your child is chatting happily at home. You notice something unusual about their voice. It sounds as though they are speaking through their nose. At first, you assume they have a cold. But their nose seems clear. They are breathing comfortably. There is no obvious congestion. Yet the unusual nasal quality continues. Perhaps their teacher has also noticed that certain words are difficult to understand. You may hear air escaping through their nose when they pronounce particular sounds. Naturally, parents begin wondering: “Why does my child sound nasal when speaking?” “Could there be a problem with their nose or throat?” “Is this something they will grow out of?” “Will they need speech therapy or an operation?” There are several possible explanations. One is a condition called velopharyngeal dysfunction , or VPD. Understanding how the soft palate works can help parents recognise whe...
Treating All Adult and Children ENT conditions