iPhone used to provide therapy for stutterers
31 January 2009
Scientists at the US Hollins Communications Research Institute
(HCRI), a leading centre for stuttering research and treatment
innovation, have completed successful trials using Apple's iPhone as a
stuttering therapy tool to enhance the transfer of new fluency skills
from the clinical setting into real-life situations.
The iPhone device was programmed at HCRI with a sophisticated voice
monitoring system that evaluates and scores speech behaviours taught
during stuttering therapy. When clients use the device during training
in outside situations, such as in a shopping mall, restaurant or
business setting, fluency measurements for each utterance are displayed
on the iPhone screen. Having this data immediately available to
stuttering therapy program participants makes speech practice more
effective and helps improve the speed with which fluency results are
achieved.
In addition, the iPhone records every speech sample in an onboard
file for later transmission to HCRI. This information enables the
institute's therapists to provide more detailed and precise training to
clients, as they learn to apply new speech capabilities in everyday
situations.
The iPhone has exceeded expectations during trials with stuttering
therapy participants, according to HCRI Founder and President Dr Ronald
L. Webster. Client scores in outside trials were similar to those made
in the clinical environment, indicating that quality transfer of fluency
skills was being attained.
"Our clients now have a dynamic, easy-to-use tool that can be used in
virtually any setting to evaluate how well they are using newly learned
fluency skills," Dr Webster said. "In addition, the device provides
training feedback and performance data that were previously available
only with our clinic-based computers."
Webster added that client responses during the trials, which were
completed last week, have been extremely positive. He attributes the
device's strong appeal to the fact that the iPhone is a practical and
fun piece of technology to use for the advancement of stuttering
treatment outcomes.
An estimated 66 million people worldwide suffer from the effects of
stuttering, with three million living in the US, according to the
National Institutes of Health.
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