ArticleRestorative neurology and neuroscience2019
Immediate improvement of speech-in-noise perception through multisensory stimulation via an auditory to tactile sensory substitution.
Article in Restorative neurology and neuroscience, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 23 papers.
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Who cites it
23 citing papers in PubMed, 43 citations in OpenAlex.
- Haptic sound-localisation for use in cochlear implant and hearing-aid users.Scientific reports · 2020Trial
- Enhancing speech recall and reducing cognitive load through rhythmic amplitude modulated vibrotactile stimulation in noise.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Top-Down Attention Modulates Phase Effects on Audio-Tactile Processing.Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · 2026Article
- Vibrotactile speech cues are associated with enhanced auditory processing in middle and superior temporal gyri.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Resting-state functional connectivity changes following audio-tactile speech training.Frontiers in neuroscience · 2025Article
- Sensory-substitution based sound perception using a spinal computer-brain interface.Scientific reports · 2024Article
- Highly compromised auditory spatial perception in aided congenitally hearing-impaired and rapid improvement with tactile technology.iScience · 2024Article
- Localizing 3D motion through the fingertips: Following in the footsteps of elephants.iScience · 2024Article
- Improved tactile speech robustness to background noise with a dual-path recurrent neural network noise-reduction method.Scientific reports · 2024Article
- Soft Tissue Conduction Activates the Auditory Pathway in the Brain.Audiology research · 2024Article
- Improved speech intelligibility in the presence of congruent vibrotactile speech input.Scientific reports · 2023Article
- Speech-derived haptic stimulation enhances speech recognition in a multi-talker background.Scientific reports · 2023Article
- Using a Bone Conduction Hearing Device as a Tactile Aid.Audiology research · 2023Article
- Shape detection beyond the visual field using a visual-to-auditory sensory augmentation device.Frontiers in human neuroscience · 2023Article
- Enhancement of speech-in-noise comprehension through vibrotactile stimulation at the syllabic rate.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2022Article
- Effects of training and using an audio-tactile sensory substitution device on speech-in-noise understanding.Scientific reports · 2022Article
- Multisensory benefits for speech recognition in noisy environments.Frontiers in neuroscience · 2022Article
- The Topo-Speech sensory substitution system as a method of conveying spatial information to the blind and vision impaired.Frontiers in human neuroscience · 2022Article
- A self-training program for sensory substitution devices.PloS one · 2021Article
- Electro-Haptic Stimulation: A New Approach for Improving Cochlear-Implant Listening.Frontiers in neuroscience · 2021Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundHearing loss is becoming a real social and health problem. Its prevalence in the elderly is an epidemic. The risk of developing hearing loss is also growing among younger people. If left untreated, hearing loss can perpetuate development of neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia. Despite recent advancements in hearing aid (HA) and cochlear implant (CI) technologies, hearing impaired users still encounter significant practical and social challenges, with or without aids. In particular, they all struggle with understanding speech in challenging acoustic environments, especially in presence of a competing speaker.
objectivesIn the current proof-of-concept study we tested whether multisensory stimulation, pairing audition and a minimal-size touch device would improve intelligibility of speech in noise.
methodsTo this aim we developed an audio-to-tactile sensory substitution device (SSD) transforming low-frequency speech signals into tactile vibrations delivered on two finger tips. Based on the inverse effectiveness law, i.e., multisensory enhancement is strongest when signal-to-noise ratio is lowest between senses, we embedded non-native language stimuli in speech-like noise and paired it with a low-frequency input conveyed through touch.
resultsWe found immediate and robust improvement in speech recognition (i.e. in the Signal-To-Noise-ratio) in the multisensory condition without any training, at a group level as well as in every participant. The reported improvement at the group-level of 6 dB was indeed major considering that an increase of 10 dB represents a doubling of the perceived loudness.
conclusionsThese results are especially relevant when compared to previous SSD studies showing effects in behavior only after a demanding cognitive training. We discuss the implications of our results for development of SSDs and of specific rehabilitation programs for the hearing impaired either using or not using HAs or CIs. We also discuss the potential application of such a set-up for sense augmentation, such as when learning a new language.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.