LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 16:6 June 2016
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
         C. Subburaman, Ph.D. (Economics)
         N. Nadaraja Pillai, Ph.D.
         Renuga Devi, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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Impact of SpeakFluent Device on Speech of Persons with Stuttering

Dr. Pravesh Arya, Ph.D. (SLP) and Soniya Gupta, BASLP

Abstract

Since decades, fluency has always been a major area of research in the field of speech and hearing. Till date, numerous causes have been put forward to explain the various types of dysfluencies which leads to stuttering. Also, based on these causes various techniques and devices have come into picture to enhance the fluency in the person with stuttering (PWS). On a similar research line, based on the cause of disturbance in auditory-motor processing, DAF (Delayed Auditory Feedback) device has been proposed which works on the principle where auditory feedback is being provided to PWS and that would determine whether the planned (and expected) speech output matches the actual product and generate corrective motor commands if a mismatch is detected (Max, Guenther, Gracco, Ghosh, & Wallace, 2004). The present study has been conducted with the main aim to see the effectiveness of SpeakFluent device having delayed auditory feedback and live visual feedback on PWS. Further, it also aimed to see the speech naturalness and comfort level of the individuals using the device. A total of twenty PWS participated in the study and were categorized into two groups. These two groups were subjected to two different conditions of fluency shaping therapy i.e., using SpeakFluent device and without using the device. The number of dysfluencies and rate of speech obtained were subjected to statistical analyses. The overall results revealed that Speakfluent device has a major impact on PWS in reducing the disfluencies and enhancing the correct rate of speech.

Keywords: SpeakFluent Device, Stuttering, Delayed Auditory Feedback, Speech Naturalness, Disfluency, Rate of specch

Introduction

Disfluency has been defined as a part-word, whole word, or phase repetition; a part-word prolongation; an inaudible postural fixation; a starter; or a filler (e.g., “um,” “uh,” “you know,” “like”). According to Guitar (2005), a starter or a filler can be counted as disfluency only if it is determined that the participant used it habitually to postpone the next word or as a means to say the desired word fluently. Also, a syllable could be counted as stuttered only once. For instance, “um, um, um, I want to g-, to g-, to go” would be counted as two disfluencies.

The effect of promoting fluency from choral speech is based on its role in providing an external auditory stimulus that facilitates the activation of the auditory cortex. This second speech signal can be interpreted as additional signal information that promotes fluent speech. Thus, the additional auditory feedback provided by the chorus functions as an exogenous speech motor control, i.e., fluent production takes place through motor recovery, made possible by increased activation of the cortex. With the chorus, the speaker adopts motor control strategies that maximize feedback, which makes monitoring more efficient, resulting in an improvement in fluency.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.


Dr. Pravesh Arya, Ph.D. (SLP)
Lead Research Associate
Innoflaps Remedy Pvt. Ltd.


Soniya Gupta (BASLP)
Clinical Consultant
Innoflaps Remedy Pvt. Ltd.

Address of correspondence:
Innoflaps Remedy Pvt. Ltd.
99 Ground Floor, New Rajdhani Enclave, Preet Vihar
East Delhi-110092
Delhi
India
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