University of Oklahoma research indicates that the brain relies on real-time hearing to guide complex speech motor skills, with implications for speech therapy. When individuals cannot hear their own voices, their tongue movements become less precise during speech, according to research from the University of Oklahoma....
Findings reinforce the theoretical role of auditory feedback in speech motor control, but are too preliminary to change clinical protocols for hearing loss management or speech therapy; no actionable change at this time.
Understanding how hearing loss disrupts the brain's speech motor control loop could inform future rehabilitation strategies for people with acquired hearing loss who develop secondary speech changes.
- 01Removing auditory feedback caused measurable reductions in tongue movement precision during speech.
- 02Findings support the hypothesis that the brain uses real-time auditory input to regulate complex speech articulation.
- 03Research was conducted at the University of Oklahoma.
- 04Results have potential implications for understanding speech changes in people with hearing loss.
- 05Study design details (sample size, methodology) are not specified in the trade summary.
When people cannot hear their own voices, tongue movements become less precise during speech.
studysupportedThe brain relies on real-time auditory feedback for complex speech motor control.
studypartially supported- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 4
- Population
- Participants whose auditory feedback was experimentally masked or removed during speech tasks
- Intervention
- Removal or masking of auditory feedback during speech production
- Comparator
- Normal auditory feedback condition
Primary outcomes
Precision of tongue movements during speech; Speech motor control accuracy