Temporal malleability to auditory feedback perturbation is modulated by rhythmic abilities and auditory acuity.

Auditory feedback perturbation studies have indicated a link between feedback and feedforward mechanisms in speech production when participants compensate for applied shifts. In spectral perturbation studies, speakers with a higher perceptual auditory acuity typically compensate more than individuals with lower acuity. However, the reaction to feedback perturbation is unlikely to be merely a matter of perceptual acuity but also affected by the prediction and production of precise motor action.

Compensation to real-time temporal auditory feedback perturbation depends on syllable position.

Auditory feedback perturbations involving spectral shifts indicated a crucial contribution of auditory feedback to planning and execution of speech. However, much less is known about the contribution of auditory feedback with respect to temporal properties of speech. The current study aimed at providing insight into the representation of temporal properties of speech and the relevance of auditory feedback for speech timing.