Postural control of the vocal tract affects auditory speech perception

Area of Science:

• Auditory Perception
• Speech Science
• Sensorimotor Integration

Background:

• Previous research suggests sensorimotor information from speech gestures aids auditory speech perception.
• The role of non-speech, postural control of the vocal tract in speech perception remains less explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether postural, non-speech vocal tract control, specifically nasal vs. oral breathing, influences speech perception.
• To determine if breathing method modulates the perception of speech sounds characterized by nasal airflow.

Main Methods:

• Experimental participants identified speech sounds varying in nasal vs. oral airflow.
• Participants' breathing was controlled: either through the nose or the mouth during the task.

Main Results:

• A higher tendency to perceive speech sounds as nasal was observed when participants breathed through their nose.
• Conversely, breathing through the mouth decreased the perception of nasal articulation in speech sounds.

Conclusions:

• Postural information from non-speech vocal tract states, like breathing patterns, significantly modulates speech sound perception.
• Findings suggest sensorimotor feedback, beyond dynamic speech articulation, is crucial for auditory speech processing.