A new study done
by University of Texas (UT) at Dallas researchers indicates that watching 3D
images of tongue movements can help individuals learn speech sounds. The
findings could be especially helpful for stroke patients seeking to improve
their speech articulation. Results show that individuals can be taught
consonant sounds in part by watching 3D tongue images. The study was small but
showed that participants became more accurate in learning new sounds when they
were exposed to visual feedback training.
Technology
recently allowed researchers to switch from 2D technology to the Opti-Speech
technology, which shows the 3D images of the tongue. A previous UT Dallas
research project determined that the Opti-Speech visual feedback system can
reliably provide real-time feedback for speech learning. Part of the new study
looked at an effect called compensatory articulation—when acoustics are rapidly
shifted and subjects think they are making a certain sound with their mouths,
but hear feedback that indicates they are making a different sound.
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