The effect of vibrotactile stimuli via the Somatron on the identification of rhythmic concepts by hearing impaired children

Journal/Book: Journal of Music Therapy. 1989; Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. National Association for Music Therapy. journal article.

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of vibrotactile stimuli on the identification of rhythmic change by hearing impaired children. Twenty-nine hearing impaired children students from a state school for the deaf served as subjects. Ten alternating patterns of 8th and 16th notes were recorded in random order on audio tapes using an electronic drum machine. Subjects were tested individually for identification of rhythmic change under two conditions: (a) use of auditory skills only; and (b) use of auditory skills supported by vibrotactile stimuli. Results indicated that identification of rhythmic change by hearing impaired subjects was facilitated by supplementing auditory skills with vibrotactile stimuli. The data were further analyzed for differences occurring on the bases of sequence of change, number of beats per change, and age of subjects. These data revealed that, for all changes and number of beats per change, subjects identified a greater number of rhythmic changes under the vibrotactile condition. Across all ages, subjects also identified a greater percentage of rhtyhmic changes under this condition.

Keyword(s): effect-of-music, vibration, identification, rhythm, concept, hearing-impaired, auditory-perception, hearing-defects, hearing-difficulties, hearing-disorder, hearing-loss, Somatron

Zurück | Weiter