Includes bibliographical references (p. 26-29).Thesis (B.Sc)--University of Hong Kong, 2010."A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Speech and Hearing Sciences), The University of Hong Kong, June 30, 2010."In response to a recent study, six dimensional parameters (oral length, oral volume, pharyngeal
length, pharyngeal volume, total vocal tract length and total vocal tract volume) of the vocal tract
in older teenagers and that of normal-developing cohorts were compared with smaller age
disparities and larger number of participants. The vocal tract dimensions of 18 older teenagers
with Down syndrome and 18 typically developing controls were measured by Acoustic
Reflection technology using an Eccovision Acoustic Pharyngometer. Significant differences
were found in pharyngeal volume, total vocal tract length and total vocal tract volume in the two
groups, which provided insights on differences in vocal tracts between Down syndrome and
normal group, a preliminary anatomical database of vocal tract dimensional growth for local
teenagers with Down syndrome, and whether to carry out partial glossectomy to improve speech
intelligibility for children with Down syndrome.published_or_final_versionSpeech and Hearing SciencesBachelorBachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science
