Differences in lingual vibrotactile thresholds of sensitivity using adjusted vs fixed methods of vibrator probe-contactor alignment.
The purpose of this study was to compare lingual vibrotactile thresholds of sensitivity obtained using individual subject adjustments of vibrator probe-contractor to lingual surface, with thresholds obtained using a fixed vibrator probe-contactor position across 30 subjects ranging in age from 18 to 26 yr. (M age = 20 yr.). Analysis showed minor (less than 5 dB SPL) differences in lingual vibrotactile thresholds of sensitivity between the two methods of vibrator probe-contactor alignment. For research purposes, the vibrator probe-contactor assembly should be adjusted to each individual's lingual surface, but for clinical-behavioral purposes, it might be sensible to use a fixed vibrator probe-contactor position across subjects, especially when performing research on young children, older adults, and the communicatively handicapped.
Fucci
D
D
School of Hearing & Speech Sciences, Ohio University, Athens 45701.
Petrosino
L
L
Underwood
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D014059:Tongue / Q000294:innervation*; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*; D014732:Vibration