Abstract:
Episodically throughout the 20th century, practical and scientific inquiries into speech perception by touch have been undertaken. While some extraordinary examples of communication by the natural (uninstrumented) method of Tadoma have suggested that touch has great potential for speech perception, artificial vibrotactile devices have produced relatively modest results. Why at this time, in the light of success (at times verging on spectacular) of auditory implants for people with profound hearing losses, should additional resources be invested in development and testing or sensory aids for speech perception via touch? In answer to this question, this presentation will summarize research on speech perception involving touch, outline important practical and clinical justifications for continued interest, and discuss some theoretical issues in speech perception to which studies involving touch can contribute. [Work supported by NIH DC00695 and DC01577.]