Choice of speech features for tactile presentation to the profoundly deaf

Measurements have been made, using acoustic presentation of stimuli, to compare a variety of speech-derived signals (amplitude envelope, voice fundamental frequency, second-formant frequency, zero-crossing frequency, and an “on/off” control derived from the amplitude envelope via a comparator) as to their suitability for tactile presentation to the profoundly deaf as an aid to speech reception. Segmental (phonemic) information was conveyed adequately by all five signals; suprasegmental (stress) information was conveyed very well by voice fundamental frequency, and significantly less well by the other signals. The best choice of speech features for presentation via a practical tactile aid is discussed