The Effect of Laryngeal Vibratory Stimuli and User’s Vocal Style on Sense of Vocal Agency

Vocalization significantly impacts daily human activities by affecting cognitive, physical, and emotional aspects. Despite its importance, physical and social barriers can restrict individuals’ ability to express themselves vocally. To address this issue, the authors have proposed an innovative method to enhance vocal agency through auditory and laryngeal vibratory stimuli. However, prior research has predominantly examined the effectiveness of this technique in scenarios involving loud vocalizations, and the validity of this method has thus yet to be sufficiently verified. In this study, we examined the effects of vibratory stimuli on the sense of agency in the case of general vocalizations. Findings revealed that vibratory stimuli applied to areas not directly involved in vocalization, such as the wrist, failed to foster a sense of vocal agency, in stark contrast to the effects observed with stimuli applied to the larynx. These results underscore the importance of directing vibratory stimuli to anatomical regions integral to vocalization to enhance vocal agency effectively. This research has substantial potential to influence the development of interactive and virtual reality technologies and support individuals experiencing speech difficulties.