What is the ratio of males to
females who stutter?
Stuttering affects four times as many males as females.
MORE ABOUT STUTTERING
What is stuttering?
Stuttering is a communication disorder in which the flow of speech is broken by repetitions (li-li-like this), prolongations (lllllike this), or abnormal stoppages (no sound) of sounds and syllables. There may also be unusual facial and body movements associated with the effort to speak.
What causes stuttering?
There are four factors most likely to contribute to the development of stuttering: genetics (approximately 60% of those who stutter have a family member who does also); child development (children with other speech and language problems or developmental delays are more likely to stutter); neurophysiology (recent research has shown that people who stutter process speech and language in different areas of the brain than those who do not stutter); and family dynamics (high expectations and fast-paced lifestyles can contribute to stuttering). Stuttering may occur when a combination of factors comes together; stuttering may have different causes in different people. What causes stuttering may differ from what makes it continue or get worse.
How many people stutter?
Over 300,000 Canadians and three million Americans stutter; approximately 1% of the population.
What is the ratio of males to females who stutter?
Stuttering affects four times as many males as females.
How many children stutter?
Some 20 percent of all children go through a stage in their speech development during which they encounter dysfluencies severe enough to be a concern to their parents. The best prevention tool is early intervention.
Is stuttering caused by emotional or psychological problems?
Children and adults who stutter are no more likely to have psychological or emotional problems than children and adults who do not. There is no reason to believe that emotional trauma causes stuttering.
I read about a new cure for stuttering. Is there such a thing?
There are no instant miracle cures for stuttering. Therapy, electronic devices, and even drugs are not an overnight process. However, a specialist in stuttering can help not only children but also teenagers, young adults and even older adults make significant progress toward fluency.
ADDITIONAL WEBSITES [Information from Stuttering foundation: www.stuttersfa.org]
www.bcaps.bc.ca
www.stutter.ca
www.nsastutter.org
SpeechEasy®
What is SpeechEasy®?
SpeechEasy® is a patented stuttering inhibiting device. It is a prosthetic device with digital technology that facilitates Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF) and/or Frequency Altered Feedback (FAF). This feedback has the effect of inhibiting stuttering and facilitating fluency while SpeechEasy® is worn. Based on "choral speech", SpeechEasy® creates the illusion of speaking in unison with someone else. It is available in five styles: iSpeak (looks like an MP3 Player), Behind-The-Ear (BTE), In-The-Canal (ITC); and the two most inconspicuous and cosmetically appealing: the Comfort Fit (CF) and the Completely-in-the Canal (CIC).
Who should use SpeechEasy?®
- People Who Stutter (PWS) who have had previous success with other Altered Auditory Feedback devices, but who found these devices bulky and conspicuous - they want to wear something more cosmetically appealing and self-contained at ear-level;
- PWS who are searching for an alternative to traditional therapy options due to either failure of therapy to improve fluency, failure to maintain fluency over time, or the inability to maintain the psychological effort required to produce fluent speech;
- People who stutter who want to use technology in conjunction with traditional therapy options.
Can SpeechEasy® cure stuttering?
No. SpeechEasy® is NOT A CURE FOR STUTTERING. There is no known cure for stuttering at this time. SpeechEasy is a prosthetic device, something to be likened to wearing a hearing aid or eyeglasses. In other words, it is effective when in use.
Are there any side-effects of wearing SpeechEasy®?
Environmental and conversational stimuli can sound different. SpeechEasy® is usually worn in one ear only, which reduces this sensation, and the advanced digital processing helps to reduce unwanted background noise. Some people may get a sore ear. This can usually be alleviated by modifying the shell.
How long has SpeechEasy® been on the market?
While Altered Auditory Feedback devices have been in existence for many years, SpeechEasy® was first introduced in the USA in 2001. Some long-term efficacy studies on SpeechEasy® have been published and some are still in the process of being conducted. Please visit www.speecheasy.com for more information on research.
Trial Period and Repair Warranty:
The SpeechEasy® device comes with a 60-day trial period. If the SpeechEasy® device is returned intact within the 60-day trial period, a 90% refund of the total device price will be issued by True Fluency Canada Inc. (invoice cost less 10%).
SpeechEasy® devices will be repaired if defective materials or defective manufacturing cause the device to malfunction within one year from the date of fitting. Damage due to negligence is not covered under this one-year warranty. Ear molds, tubing, batteries and accessories are not covered under this warranty. Speech-Language Pathologist fees are non-refundable.
How does a SpeechEasy® Assessment and fitting take place?
Client contacts the nearest SpeechEasy® Speech-Language Pathologist (see Locations);
Client arranges to have a hearing test and brings the audiogram to the SpeechEasy Assessment. The assessment includes a SpeechEasy® demonstration. If the client is a good candidate for a SpeechEasy® device, the styles and options are discussed. The device is ordered. Client makes device payment to True Fluency Canada Inc. and professional assessment fee payment to the Speech-Language Pathologist. Fitting takes place approximately two weeks after the assessment. Follow-up appointments are encouraged and are set up by the Client and the Speech-Language Pathologist.
For further information please contact your nearest SpeechEasy® Speech-Language
Pathologist or call 604-926-9434 or e-mail info@speecheasy.ca