Preliminary results of speech-reception tests obtained with the synthetic Tadoma system

In the Tadoma method of speech reception used by some deaf-blind individuals, speech is understood by placing a hand on the face of the talker and feeling certain mechanical actions of the face associated with speech production. The synthetic Tadoma system is a computer-driven artificial face that simulates these mechanical actions. This paper reports some preliminary data on the discrimination of nonsense syllables with the synthetic system. Although further work is required to produce an accurate simulation, the results suggest that such a goal is indeed achievable.