Simulation of hypernasality levels using trained actors: A brief communication

Abstract

Purpose: to report an experience of simulation applied to a research context and assess the feasibility of using trained actors’ audio recordings to simulate nasality levels. Methods: two clinical simulation actors selected and subsequently trained to simulate three nasality levels (non-nasal, mild to moderate hypernasal and severe hypernasal), resulting in a total of 6 audios. These files were analysed through a Praat script to obtain the measures A1-P0 compensated and the first formant’s bandwidth. Afterwards, they were rated by two expert SLPs, according to their nasality and intelligibility, using perceptual scales. Results: according to A1-P0 and F1 bandwidth values in most conditions and the expert SLP’s nasality and intelligibility ratings, the actors were able to simulate the previously defined nasality levels. Final Considerations: based on the preliminary data, it can be concluded that the use of clinical simulation in experimental contexts, offering new opportunities and benefits for researchers, is feasible. In this experience, the actors were able to simulate different nasality levels corroborated by acoustic analysis and experts’ ratings.