How Our Brain Suppresses Sounds We Make
Author Information
Author(s): Behroozmand Roozbeh, Larson Charles R
Primary Institution: Northwestern University
Hypothesis
The study tests whether the suppression of auditory responses to self-produced voice feedback is modulated by the degree of pitch disparity between actual and predicted voice feedback.
Conclusion
The study found that the brain maximally suppresses auditory responses to unaltered voice feedback, but this suppression decreases as the pitch of the feedback is shifted further away from the expected pitch.
Supporting Evidence
- The N1 component was significantly suppressed during active vocalization compared to passive listening for pitch shifts of 200 cents or less.
- Suppression of the N1 component was almost completely eliminated for a pitch shift of 400 cents.
- The study supports the idea that the brain uses motor predictions to determine the source of incoming stimuli.
Takeaway
When we talk, our brain helps us ignore the sound of our own voice to focus on what we want to say, but if the sound changes too much, it pays more attention.
Methodology
Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded in response to pitch-shifted voice feedback during active vocal production and passive listening.
Limitations
The study only included right-handed native speakers of American English, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
22 right-handed native speakers of American English (12 females and 10 males, ages 19-35).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.004 for 0 cents, p = 0.037 for 50 cents, p = 0.033 for 100 cents, p = 0.034 for 200 cents.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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