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Long-Term Efficacy and The SpeechEasy Device
For the past three years, SpeechEasy has attracted the attention of the stuttering community. Patients seek its use to enhance their fluency; SLPs provide ongoing therapy for patients to maximize the effectiveness of their device. And yet because the device is relatively new, some members of the stuttering community continue to question its long-term effectiveness.
"When you introduce a new product -- even when it is based on technology that has already been proven over time to be effective -- there is still a proving ground that occurs before the benefit of what you are providing is fully accepted ," said Alan Newton, Janus Development Group's Vice President of SpeechEasy. "We understand that process. And that is why we are dedicated to participating in, on an ongoing basis, research and development that will demonstrate the long-term effectiveness of the SpeechEasy device."
As a part of that ongoing effort, last fall Janus announced the results of a customer satisfaction survey conducted by an independent third-party. Of the 489 users surveyed, 80.6 percent indicated that they are satisfied with their decision to obtain the device, and 90.6 percent indicated that they would recommend SpeechEasy as a treatment option. Most SpeechEasy users, including those who responded to the survey, have stuttered since early childhood.
In addition, in November researchers at Auburn University's Department of Communication Disorders announced the launch of a study to determine the long-term efficacy of the SpeechEasy device as a therapeutic option for people who stutter.
Researchers led by Lawrence Molt, Ph.D., associate professor and department chair at the Auburn University Speech and Hearing Clinic (AUSHC), will evaluate data collected from 45 individuals who stutter. Test subjects will be divided into two groups -- a 35-member experimental group that will use the device, and a 10-member control group.
Dr. Molt and his research team will evaluate fluency measures such as percentage of stuttered syllables obtained in a variety of speaking conditions. They will also use attitudinal scales to measure the effect of the device on lifestyle and quality of life. Measurements of the experimental group will be conducted at one month, three month, six month and one-year intervals.
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