Self-Speech Tunes Tongue Movements, Study Finds

Research from the University of Oklahoma reveals how hearing one's own voice helps regulate precise tongue movements for speech.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 5:16am

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A new study from the University of Oklahoma has found that when people cannot hear their own voices, their tongue movements become less precise when they speak. This is the first direct evidence showing how auditory input helps regulate the control of tongue movements for speech production. The findings could guide therapies for those with hearing loss or whose tongues have been affected by cancer treatment.

Why it matters

This study provides important insights into the complex motor skills required for speech, which involves tens of thousands of precisely timed movements per day. The research suggests the brain relies on real-time sensory feedback, particularly auditory input, to regulate flexible structures like the tongue during speech. Understanding this connection is crucial for developing effective treatments for speech disorders caused by hearing loss or tongue damage from cancer.

The details

In the study, participants spoke both when they could hear their own voice and when their hearing was masked. Small sensors tracked their tongue and jaw movements, revealing that when hearing was masked, tongue-elevating movements became less precise and more variable, while jaw motion was unaffected. This suggests the brain doesn't fully pre-plan speech movements but relies on sensory input to regulate the flexible tongue for speech production.

  • The study was published in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research in 2026.

The players

Matthew Masapollo

An assistant professor at the OU College of Allied Health who led the study.

University of Oklahoma

The institution where the research was conducted.

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center

Where Masapollo is conducting a new study involving patients treated for tongue cancer.

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What they’re saying

“Speech feels automatic, but it's one of the most complex motor skills that we routinely perform. A typical adult produces up to 16,000 words each day – that's tens of thousands of precisely timed movements requiring precise coordination throughout the vocal tract.”

— Matthew Masapollo, Assistant Professor

“The effect was strongest during tongue-elevating movements, rather than overall tongue motion. This suggests the brain doesn't fully pre-plan speech movements; it also relies on real-time sensory information to regulate tongue movements for speech.”

— Matthew Masapollo, Assistant Professor

What’s next

Masapollo is conducting a new study involving patients treated for tongue cancer at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center to understand how radiation and surgery to different parts of the tongue affect its control for speech and swallowing.

The takeaway

This research provides the first direct evidence that auditory feedback is crucial for regulating the precise tongue movements required for speech production. The findings could inform therapies to help restore speech control in people with hearing loss or tongue damage from cancer treatment.