The proposed research will examine the role of somatosensory inputs associated with facial skin deformation in speech perception and speech motor learning. The role of these inputs is poorly understood yet clearly important for speech control since a number of articulatory muscles lack traditional muscle proprioceptors (muscle spindles and tendon organs). The principal goal is to document somatosensory involvement in perception and speech learning. This goal will be accomplished by using a computer controlled robotic device to precisely deform the facial skin and by examining the resulting changes in speech motor output and speech perception. The proposed studies have two specific aims.
The first aim i s to document a bi-directional interaction of the somatosensory and auditory systems in speech processing. The second is to understand how somatosensory afferent inputs contribute to speech motor learning and more specifically, to test the idea that motor learning occurs in response to the modulation of somatosensory afferent input. Relevance: These studies have potential clinical applicability as well as contributing to our basic understanding of the mechanisms of speech motor control and speech perception. The investigation of the bi-directional interaction of the somatosensory and auditory systems should be helpful in understanding the sensory support for speech training and rehabilitation and in establishing the role of somatosensory afferents in speech leaning.

Public Health Relevance

These studies have potential clinical applicability as well as contributing to our basic understanding of the mechanisms of speech motor control and speech perception. The investigation of the bi-directional interaction of the somatosensory and auditory systems should be helpful in understanding the sensory support for speech training and rehabilitation and in establishing the role of somatosensory afferents in speech leaning.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
1R03DC009064-01A1
Application #
7577244
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDC1-SRB-R (34))
Program Officer
Shekim, Lana O
Project Start
2008-12-22
Project End
2011-11-30
Budget Start
2008-12-22
Budget End
2009-11-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$161,393
Indirect Cost
Name
Haskins Laboratories, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
060010147
City
New Haven
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
06511
Ito, Takayuki; Johns, Alexis R; Ostry, David J (2013) Left lateralized enhancement of orofacial somatosensory processing due to speech sounds. J Speech Lang Hear Res 56:S1875-81
Ito, Takayuki; Ostry, David J (2012) Speech sounds alter facial skin sensation. J Neurophysiol 107:442-7
Ito, Takayuki; Ostry, David J (2010) Somatosensory contribution to motor learning due to facial skin deformation. J Neurophysiol 104:1230-8