Kinesthetic and auditory feedback during phonation and articulation

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Michael Döllinger
• Subject Area: Otolaryngology, Phoniatrics and Audiology
• Term: from 2012 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 230251342

The precision of the human speech signal is controlled by parallel working feedback processes while speaking. The feedback mechanisms are developed during language acquisition and can be divided into kinesthetic and auditory control. The feedback mechanisms can be affected by voice and speech disorders in different ways. This project investigates the feedback mechanisms of phonation and articulation of healthy test persons and compares their performance with patients suffering from voice disorders (hyper-, hypotension dysphonia (MTD)) and speech disorder (Apraxia of Speech (AOS)). The synchronous data acquisition (visual and EEG) enables for the first time the analysis of the connection between kinesthetic and auditory feedback processes. Current methods of electrophysiology and quantitative endoscopy are used simultaneously.The hypotheses are: (1) The kinesthetic feedback process is faster than the auditory control (fine-tuning). (2) Voice and speech disordered patients display an impairment of the kinesthetic feedback process.The goal of the study is a first understanding of the cooperating auditory and kinesthetic feedback control. Both processes will be compared with regard to their function and speed of processing. Therefore, the pitch shift reflex (adaptation or compensation of the tone) will be evoked in 60 adults, consisting of 20 adults for the control group, 20 with a voice disorder and 20 with a speech disorder. The Mismatch-Negativity (MMN) will be conducted via EEG and the induced changes of vocal fold vibrations will be recorded simultaneously via High-Speed Video Endoscopy.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Ulrich Eysholdt