A deglutition assisting instrument is provided comprising: a body in a form of a thin elastic plate for being inserted into and supported in a position between an inner lower portion of lower lip and outer surface of lower gum in oral cavity of a patient, and an operative member projecting from the body, wherein the instrument with the body being in the position allows closing of lips of the patient with the operative member extending out of the oral cavity between the lips, and wherein the body is moved following the movement of the operative member, thereby inducing a desired action in the oral cavity or giving stimulation within the oral cavity.

A method of measuring the degree of nasality in human voice sounds by independently isolating and measuring without leakage the exhaled air flow rate through the nose and the exhaled air flow rate through the mouth of a person resulting from the utterance of a sound and determining the ratio of the two air flow rates.

A hollow tubular device to assist patients during speech therapy a main body portion of a tubular configuration having a hollow interior with an interior surface and having an exterior surface, the main body portion being formed of a plastic material; a pair of parallel end caps at each end of the main body portion, the end caps being circular in shape with a thickness essentially the same thickness as the side wall; and an centrally disposed aperture extending through each end cap.

A method and device for developing the ability to demonstrate graded jaw closure and repetitive, rhythmical mandibular movement over an improved range of motion in those suffering from limiting oral motor dysfunction. The method begins with providing an embodiment of the inventive device. Essentially, the inventive device may be comprised of a non-nutritive, non-toxic and elongated biting portion comprised of a yieldable and resilient tube which has a given effective lateral thickness and is adapted to be received between an upper and a lower biting surface of an orally dysfunctional person's mouth and a handle position securely connected to the biting position for enabling manipulation of the device from a position external to a user's mouth. Next, the orally dysfunctional person is instructed and, if necessary, assisted in holding the biting position of the device between the person's biting surfaces for progressively greater length's of time. After that, the orally dysfunctional person is instructed and, if necessary assisted in engaging in a progressively increasing number of cycles of repetitive, rhythmical excursion and closure of the person's biting surfaces on the biting position of the device.

An apparatus is provided for use in deep breathing exercises and includes a bag capable of expanding and contracting, a pipe connected to the bag for allowing air to be blown into the bag, and a check valve provided at an outlet hole of the pipe. At least the air outlet hole of the pipe and the check valve are formed of an elastic material so that the air collected in the bag can escape when the check valve is opened by elastically deforming the pipe adjacent the air outlet hole and the check valve, and so that the escape of the air is stopped when the check valve is closed due to elastic return of the pipe and the check valve. Accordingly, opening and closing of the check valve can be easily carried out so that deep breathing to improve health can be mastered irrespective of age or sex. Further, since a user can visibly ascertain to what degree he has exhaled the air by viewing the expansion of the rubber balloon, he will be convinced of the advantageous effects of practicing deep breathing, such that he will be motivated to continue practice and thereby improve his health.