Ronald T. Verrillo
Inst. for Sensory Res., Syracuse Univ., Syracuse, NY 13244-5290
It is reasonable to propose that vibrotactile sensations can provide an effective channel to supplement auditory cues to aid the musical performer in the tonal control of the singing voice or an instrument. It is equally reasonable to assume that these sensations can provide cues to the nonsinging speaker, whether hearing or hearing impaired. In order to determine experimentally the efficacy of the vibrotactile channel as an aid to musical tonal control and speech, it is important that the fundamental characteristics of vibrotactile sensation be understood. These characteristics are presented for measurements at threshold and suprathreshold levels and for various subject variables, such as gender and age. [Work supported by grants from NIH, NIDCD.]