UTD Callier Center / Speech Production Laboratory

        The Callier Center Speech Production Laboratory is housed in a 900-square-foot suite of the Callier Research Division (1966 Inwood Rd., Dallas, TX 75235-7298). The laboratory houses state-of-the-art equipment for analyzing acoustic, kinematic, and perceptual aspects of speech. Speech kinematics are studied with two Carstens electromagnetic articulographs (32cm and 64cm helmets). There is a  robotic EMA calibrating system and unique software for online EMA data acquisition for biofeedback applications. The EMA devices allow for the non-invasive, simultaneous recording of multiple points in and outside of the vocal tract. These articulograph systems have also been specially modified to work with special populations, including young children. In addition to EMA, there are strain-gauge and permanent magnet speech tracking systems. There are three microcomputer, signal-processing workstations with associated equipment for analyzing acoustic data, and for playback of acoustic signals to subjects in a sound-treated listening booth. A fourth microcomputer is used for word-processing, statistics, and graphics. The laboratory computers are configured to conduct a variety of psycholinguistic experiments including auditory, visual, and cross- modal priming studies. Perceptual studies are conducted in a shielded, double-walled, sound-treated room. A large, fiberglass-coned anaechoic chamber is used for psychophysical studies. Serially-linked button boxes allow for simultaneous perceptual tests of four subjects at a time. Many of our projects have been conducted in close association with the speech perception laboratory of Dr. Peter Assmann (UTD main campus) and with the laboratories of Drs. Linda Thibodeau and Emily Tobey (Callier Advanced Hearing Research Center).