Acoustic-phonetic approach toward understanding neural processes and speech perception.
This review paper describes an "acoustic-phonetic" experimental approach aimed at understanding normal and abnormal speech perception processes from both a behavioral and an electrophysiologic perspective. First, we consider the relevant acoustic characteristics of speech and identify a set of acoustic-phonetic classes that represent the parameters most important for making an acoustic signal sound like speech. Second, we review what is known about the neurophysiologic representation of acoustic-phonetic speech parameters in animal and human subjects. Third, we describe how an acoustic-phonetic approach has been useful in understanding the biologic basis of some auditory learning problems in children and in characterizing the behavioral and neurophysiologic changes resulting from speech-sound training. Finally, we discuss these findings and how they may expand the diagnostic and rehabilitative repertoire of practicing audiologists.
Koch
D B
DB
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
McGee
T J
TJ
Bradlow
A R
AR
Kraus
N
N
D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D010700:Phonetics; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D013788:Thalamus / Q000502:physiology; D000159:Vestibulocochlear Nerve / Q000502:physiology*