Which speech-sampling context is best for assessing hyponasality?

Assessing hyponasality effectively requires contexts that highlight nasal resonance, particularly through the use of nasal consonants. When a speaker produces single words that contain nasal consonants (such as "man," "nose," or "song"), this gives insight into their ability to use the nasal passages for sound resonance.

In cases of hyponasality, the airflow through the nasal cavity is insufficient during the production of these sounds, leading to an atypical resonance quality. By focusing on single words with nasal consonants, clinicians can better evaluate how well the speaker is utilizing their nasal passages during speech, which is essential for diagnosing conditions related to hyponasality.

Other options, while potentially useful in assessing different aspects of speech, do not specifically target the nasal quality needed to evaluate hyponasality. For example, producing sentences with oral sonorants and repeating words with oral-pressure consonants do not provide the same clear evaluation of nasal airflow dynamics. Additionally, counting in numerical order from 60 to 70 may not emphasize nasal sounds to the degree needed for a comprehensive assessment. Therefore, focusing on single words containing nasal consonants is the most effective context for assessing hyponasality.