title: Perception of frequency contours via temporal and spatial tactile transforms.
abstract: Two tactile coding schemes of voice fundamental frequency were compared in terms of the detection of terminal frequency changes in simple syllable-like frequency contours. The coding schemes were: (1) temporal, single-channel--in which input frequency is represented as rate of vibration; and, (2) spatial, multichannel--in which input frequency is represented as location of vibration. An adaptive, three-interval, forced choice oddity procedure was used. The temporal, single-channel coding scheme provided a frequency resolution between 0.2 and 0.3 octaves at the fingertip. The spatial, multichannel scheme provided a spatial resolution, on the forearm, of 1-channel, which, for this 16-channel display, translates into a frequency resolution of 0.14 octaves. More learning was required with the temporal, single-channel coding scheme, than with the spatial, multichannel scheme.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in the Speech & Hearing Sciences, Graduate School, City University of New York, New York.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hnath-Chisolm
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Medwetsky
mesh_terms: D003638:Deafness / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005385:Fingers / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation; D012682:Sensory Aids; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D013016:Sound; D013067:Speech Perception; D013997:Time Factors; D014110:Touch; D014831:Voice; D014833:Voice Quality