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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For A Problem In The Tongue

slow nasal speech only. no weakness inany muscles No facial problems. EMG clean, MRI of spine and brain negative. Chest CT negative. Blood tests all negative. swallow fine. Started 9 months ago. Tongue strong and straight but with side indentations. . Could tongue nerve only be damaged from incident?
Wed, 3 Sep 2014
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ENT Specialist 's  Response
Hi. From your description it appears that the nerve supply to your tongue is adequate since it is strong and straight. I do not believe that the slow nasal speech or Rhinolalia aperta is because of the nerves supplying your tongue.

The common reason to develop nasal speech in adults is usually due to "Velopharyngeal incompetence" which means there is an abnormal closure of the velopharyngeal valve (in the throat) due to its mis coordinated speed and precision. It is caused by a neurologic disorders or traumatic brain injury. I do not have details on the "incident" referred by you, but if it was a head injury then it could be the cause for these symptoms.

You need an evaluation by a speech therapist and an ENT evaluation for a video nasopharyngeal endoscopy to evaluate the competency of the velopharyngeal valve. Treatment remains to be speech therapy and exercises.
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Suggest Treatment For A Problem In The Tongue

Hi. From your description it appears that the nerve supply to your tongue is adequate since it is strong and straight. I do not believe that the slow nasal speech or Rhinolalia aperta is because of the nerves supplying your tongue. The common reason to develop nasal speech in adults is usually due to Velopharyngeal incompetence which means there is an abnormal closure of the velopharyngeal valve (in the throat) due to its mis coordinated speed and precision. It is caused by a neurologic disorders or traumatic brain injury. I do not have details on the incident referred by you, but if it was a head injury then it could be the cause for these symptoms. You need an evaluation by a speech therapist and an ENT evaluation for a video nasopharyngeal endoscopy to evaluate the competency of the velopharyngeal valve. Treatment remains to be speech therapy and exercises.