Postlingual deaf speech and the role of audition in speech production: comments on Waldstein's paper [R.S. Waldstein, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 88, 2099-2114 (1990)].

Using acoustic analysis techniques, Waldstein [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 88, 2099-2114 (1990] reported abnormal speech findings in postlingual deaf speakers. She interpreted her findings to suggest that auditory feedback is important in motor speech control. However, it is argued here that Waldstein's interpretation may be unwarranted without addressing the possibility of neurologic deficits (e.g., dysarthria) as confounding (or even primary) causes of the abnormal speech in her subjects.