47. First speech-specific perceptual speech evaluation scale for head and neck cancer patients – Development and validation of the London speech evaluation scale

Background: Speech problems are seen in 34-65% of head and neck cancers (HNC) patients; therefore evaluation of speech is an important consideration in this patient population. Perceptual evaluation (PE) of speech is regarded as the gold standard by the experts, but to date there was no such standard tool for this purpose. Therefore the aim of this study was to develop and validate the first ever speech-specific perceptual speech evaluation tool for HNC patients.