Acoustic Profile of Deglutition

Conclusions

Sound produced by the act of swallowing was used to indicate the occurrence of this event. Minimal artifact was produced by this method which imposed no restriction on motion of the neck. A distinct and reproducible acoustic profile of swallowing was recognized. The nature of the swallowed material was found to have specific effects on the configuration of the swallowing complex. Further work requires the simultaneous use of cineradiographic equipment to delineate the physiologic events responsible for the generated acoustic energy. Transient apnea during the expiratory phase of respiration was seen with deglutition. This phenomenon was unrelated to the nature of the swallowed material, and was seen in both “wet” and “dry”swallows.