A single exposure to altered auditory feedback causes observable sensorimotor adaptation in speech

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Speech Science
• Motor Control

Background:

• Sensory errors cause rapid compensation and longer-term adaptation.
• Speech adaptation typically requires repeated auditory perturbations, challenging adaptation theories.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if single exposure to auditory error can induce speech adaptation.
• To test the hypothesis of 'one-shot' learning in speech sensorimotor adaptation.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of a large dataset with intermittent, unpredictable speech acoustic perturbations.
• Measurement of articulatory adjustments on unperturbed trials immediately following perturbed trials.

Main Results:

• Participants demonstrated 'one-shot' learning, adjusting speech to oppose auditory shifts after a single exposure.
• Evidence of rapid, single-exposure adaptation in speech sensorimotor control was observed.

Conclusions:

• Speech sensorimotor adaptation can occur after a single sensory error.
• These findings support current speech adaptation theories and generalize motor learning principles to speech.