Simplified tones for profoundly deaf tone-language speakers

Abstract

The larynx frequency pattern of speech contributes significantly to speech communication when it is dependent on lipreading, especially in a tone-language context. Tests using syllable-based pitch contrasts as well as connected speech in controlled interactive situations show that receptive skills can be considerably improved both in Mandarin and Cantonese (two Chinese dialects). On the basis of findings which show that a sinusoidal presentation of voice pitch changes is more beneficial to a profoundly deaf person than the complete acoustic signal [S. Rosen and A. J. Fourcin, Speech, Hearing and Language, U.C.L. No. 1 (1983)], the present work adopts this simplification approach in an attempt to enhance prosodic skills in profoundly deaf Cantonese children. Results indicate that productive and perceptual skills can be significantly enhanced by using a simplified auditory presentation. These have important implications for the design of signal processing aids and the development of speech skills in the profoundly deaf tone-language speaker.