Spectral Discrimination Thresholds Comparing Audio and Haptics

Previous studies have been carried out concerning the ability of individuals with normal hearing to discriminate auditory stimuli which have the same fundamental frequency but different spectral content [5]. This study concerns to what extent is it possible to perform the same differentiation considering vibratory tactile stimuli. Being aurally able to distinguish between an A3 note played by a flute and the same note played by a clarinet, the question posed is whether or not it is possible to observe a similar ability in terms of vibratory tactile stimulations. In trying to address these questions, a research project is currently ongoing consisting of a series of perceptual tests to be carried out in an attempt to compare discrimination thresholds in terms of spectral differences between auditory and vibratory tactile stimulations. Author