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Frequently Asked Questions About the SpeechEasy Device
By Amber Snyder, CCC-SLP
Q: How can I maximize my fluency with the device?
A: Follow the tips and hints that come with your device. Practice using the device in environments where you feel less stressed and are typically more fluent. This allows you time to understand how the device works and gives you an opportunity to practice actually listening to and using the device. Then, when you are in more stressful situations, you will have a better understanding of what you need to concentrate on in order to get better results. Read, read, read with the device in your ear. Again, this allows you time to think more about the device and how it works rather than what you are trying to say. Anything you can do to help get your voice started and keep it flowing will be helpful. Remember to hear the signal as another person talking along with you and to use that as choral speech.
Q: The background noise is really distracting and I have a difficult time understanding others ... how can I overcome that?
A: When you are talking with someone, actually visualize the words they are saying going to the ear that has the SpeechEasy in it. This gives you not only an auditory signal to hear, but it gives you a type of visual stimuli as well. Then when you start to speak, switch your attention to the ear that has the device in it. Again, visualize the words leaving your mouth and going directly to the device. This way you are actively trying to switch which ear you are attending with and over time this becomes much more passive and more of a second nature for you. In addition, think about this. Even without the device, you hear all sorts of background noise (tv playing, people talking, phones ringing, etc, etc). You've learned to block that out and pay attention to what you need to hear. You can do the same thing with the SpeechEasy in, but it does take more effort at the beginning of the process.
Q: Are there any long term efficacy studies showing that the device works?
A: Currently, Janus Development Group is contracted to have an independent study completed at Auburn University to look at long-term effects. However, the device is fairly new on the market, so long-term research simply is emerging ... we aren't there yet. With that being said, there is plenty of research that looks at DAF and FAF and how they can be used to help alleviate stuttering. These are the two main components SpeechEasy employs. They work together to emulate choral speech and research indicates that choral speech is an effective means to help alleviate stuttering. There is long-term research out there, but it does not name SpeechEasy specifically.
Q: Who is a good candidate for the device?
A: There are no standards as to how severe the client must be in order to try the SpeechEasy. How well they do with the device depends entirely on that particular individual. There are many factors that may be indicators as to how effective the device may be, like, previous therapy experience, type of stuttering patterns, a client' s outlook towards the device and possible therapy, etc. If a client becomes more fluent under choral speech conditions, they may be a good candidate for the SpeechEasy. If you want to try some choral speech before you recommend they come in for an evaluation, try reading the same material or say rote memory type things together to see if that helps.
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