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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.07.08.737094

Augmenting Speech Comprehension using Rapid Frequency Tagging

Reynolds, C.·Pan, Y.·Pesquita, A.·Jensen, O.·Segaert, K.·Park, H.
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Abstract

Speech comprehension under adverse listening conditions benefits from visual speech, but whether visual input can be modulated to improve listening remains unclear. Here we used rapid frequency tagging, a non-invasive sensory stimulation technique, in which the visual tag at 55 Hz over the mouth region of a talking face was amplitude-modulated by the envelope of either the task-relevant or task-irrelevant speech stream. When the visual modulation followed the task-relevant speech envelope, comprehension improved relative to task-irrelevant modulation and to an unmodulated tagging control. MEG responses showed enhanced 55 Hz visual tagging, altered 40 Hz auditory tagging and a non-linear 15 Hz intermodulation. Individual comprehension gains were associated with intermodulation responses in left inferior frontal cortex, linking behavioural benefit to audiovisual interaction. These findings show that task-relevant visual stimulation can improve comprehension by strengthening audiovisual interaction, establishing amplitude-modulated frequency tagging as a tool for probing and supporting comprehension in challenging environments.

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Reynolds, C., Pan, Y., Pesquita, A., Jensen, O., Segaert, K., Park, H.. 2026-07-13. Augmenting Speech Comprehension using Rapid Frequency Tagging. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.08.737094

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