A model of the phonatory response time of stutterers and fluent speakers to frequency-modulated tones. 1992

H B Nudelman, and K E Herbrich, and K R Hess, and B D Hoyt, and D B Rosenfield
Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030.

Stutterers and fluent speakers tracked frequency-modulated tones by humming. The response time (RT) to the first corrective change in fundamental frequency in response to linear ramps of increasing and decreasing frequency was measured. The results demonstrate that RT is a function of the stimulus ramp velocity. A model of this dependency is provided which consists of parameters of threshold frequency and a fixed time delay. The estimated threshold frequency for the fluent speakers is 2.029 Hz with 95% confidence interval: (1.70 Hz, 2.35 Hz) whereas that of the stutterers is 3.937 Hz (3.28 Hz, 4.60 Hz). These threshold frequencies are significantly different (p < 0.0001). This implies that stutterers are slower to respond to changes in frequency than are fluent speakers. The fixed time delays for the two groups are not significantly different. This means that it is possible for the stutterers to respond as fast as the fluent speakers (i.e., their basic "reflexes" are the same); however, they spend more time in the detection of the change in a tracking signal. This supports the model of the stuttered event as being triggered by an instability in a multiloop speech motor control system.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010699 Phonation The process of producing vocal sounds by means of VOCAL CORDS vibrating in an expiratory blast of air. Phonations
D010898 Pitch Perception A dimension of auditory sensation varying with cycles per second of the sound stimulus. Perception, Pitch,Perceptions, Pitch,Pitch Perceptions
D011571 Psychoacoustics The science pertaining to the interrelationship of psychologic phenomena and the individual's response to the physical properties of sound. Psychoacoustic
D011930 Reaction Time The time from the onset of a stimulus until a response is observed. Response Latency,Response Speed,Response Time,Latency, Response,Reaction Times,Response Latencies,Response Times,Speed, Response,Speeds, Response
D005246 Feedback A mechanism of communication within a system in that the input signal generates an output response which returns to influence the continued activity or productivity of that system. Feedbacks
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001288 Attention Focusing on certain aspects of current experience to the exclusion of others. It is the act of heeding or taking notice or concentrating. Focus of Attention,Selective Attention,Social Attention,Attention Focus,Attention, Selective,Attention, Social,Selective Attentions

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