Stutter

A stutter is a condition of involuntary repetition of sounds, words, or phrases. This causes the subject to suffer intense difficulties with communication and relationships. In most cases this is a developmental condition, however after certain damaging events such as a stroke in the auditory centers of the brain relating to speech, a stutter may develop. A stutter has many psychological effects, not as a direct result of the speech, but of the social alienation and inability to communicate ones thoughts that result from the disorder. In the past, treatment has rarely been successful because the disorder was poorly understood, treatment relied primarily on facing ones fears, being put into public situations where they must speak well, memorizing passages, etc. None of these strategies are effective, primarily because of the inherent fear in the subjects of their own speech.

A company has recently introduced a product called "SpeechEasy" intended to help treat uncontrollable stuttering. It takes the appearance of a hearing aid inserted into the ear. However, rather than simply amplifying sound, this device adds a slight delay and pitch shift to incoming sound, most importantly, the speakers own voice. This manipulates a phenomenon of the auditory cortex called the choral effect. The effects of the choral effect are present in everyone; however they are most easily seen and benefited from in those suffering from a stutter.

The choral effect is observed when the speaker is vocalizing in unison with a group, such as when saying the pledge of allegiance, or reading aloud from a text in a group. This tricks the brain into normal function, largely eliminating the noticeable effects of a stutter. The brain is so susceptible to this manipulation that even speaking directly into a corner and hearing the echo from the speakers own voice has been shown to have the same effect.

This can not treat many of the psychological difficulties that often come with a developmental stutter; however the newfound confidence in speech may lead to the resolution of those issues as well.

http://www.speecheasy.com/howitworks.php

http://www.casafuturatech.com/Book/faq.html