Proposal for a Method to Measure Tongue-Hard Palate Contact Force during Speech for Clinical Use

Abstract

This study aims to propose a practical method for measuring tongue contact force in clinical practice. To develop a novel measurement device, we analyzed nine speech tones at 23 locations on the hard palate, identifying four key locations where all speech tones could be detected. These locations were selected as the sensor points. Four laminate-covered force sensors were integrated into a sheet-like configuration and affixed directly to the hard palate using denture stabilizers. The device successfully differentiated tongue contact forces among three subjects during speech production. The center position of the tongue-hard palate contact force was calculated, revealing distinct tongue movement trajectories for the same sound across different subjects. These findings highlight inter-individual variability in tongue dynamics. The proposed method enables simple and effective evaluation of tongue force, offering potential applications in the assessment of speech disorders and the diagnosis of tongue weakness. Its ease of use and ability to capture subtle differences in tongue function suggest significant utility in clinical and therapeutic settings. © 2025 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.