For years, it has been known that people who stutter tend to become more fluent
when they speak in unison with another person. This phenomenon, referred to
as the choral effect, can be seen when a person who stutters becomes
more fluent when singing in a choir or reciting text within a crowd.
Working collaboratively, the Audiology and Speech Departments at St. Rita's
Medical Center are introducing SpeechEasy®, a new device to help those
with stuttering problems. This device, which resembles a hearing aid, creates
the illusion of the choral speech pattern by delaying the patient's hearing
of his/her own voice for a matter of milliseconds. The use of Delayed Audio
Feedback (DAF) helps the patient block the stutter.
Dennis Durst, AuD, audiologist at St. Rita's Audiology, reports, "The social
problems connected with those who suffer from a stuttering disorder are very
painful. This new anti-stuttering device gives much promise for better speech
patterns and improved social interactions."
For more information, contact the Audiology Department at (419) 226-9341 or
click here.
