External auditory feedback from covert oral behavior during silent reading

Ss were selected for high levels of covert oral behavior during silent reading. High speech-muscle amplitude during silent reading produced a slightly noxious tone, and a reduction in amplitude removed the tone. Feedback reduced amplitude of the controlling and associated speech muscles, but withdrawal of feedback returned the amplitude to about baseline level, indicating that the reduction was not permanent. More effective controlling techniques are required to determine stringently the function of the covert oral response with this approach.