Lingual vibrotactile perception: lingual pressure effects on neuro-sensory response

A calibrated pressure transducer, embedded within a lower tongue clamp disk, enabled the application of specific tongue pressures during lingual threshold measurement. Thresholds were obtained for five tongue pressures (2, 5, 8, 11, and 14 PSIA ) at three frequencies (125, 250, and 500 Hz). Thresholds varied as a function of tongue pressure. As pressure increased from 2 to 8 PSIA thresholds decreased. As pressure increased above 8 PSIA thresholds increased. Tongue pressure did not influence frequency function.