SpeechEasyä – Frequently Asked Questions

1.1        What is SpeechEasyä?

SpeechEasyä is a fully portable and inconspicuous fluency-enhancing device for people who stutter.  It is a prosthetic device that fits in the ear.

1.2        Who developed SpeechEasyä?

The impetus for developing SpeechEasyä came from research at the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department, East Carolina University by inventors Joseph Kalinowski, Ph.D., Andrew Stuart, Ph.D., and Michael Rastatter, Ph.D.  Its conception was based on 10 years of peer-reviewed scientific research on the fluency enhancing effects of altered auditory feedback in people who stutter.

1.3        What is altered auditory feedback (AAF)?

Altered auditory feedback (AAF) simply means hearing your own voice in a manner that is slightly different from the way you normally hear it.  It allows the SpeechEasyä user to listen to his or her own voice with Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF), Frequency Altered Feedback (FAF), or a combination of the two.  Using DAF allows the user to hear his or her own voice with a slight temporal delay, similar to an echo.  FAF allows the user to hear his or her own voice with a shift in the pitch, so the signal heard is either at a slightly higher or slightly lower pitch than the person’s own voice.

1.4        How do DAF and FAF help people who stutter become more fluent?

For years, it has been known that when people who stutter speak the same material in unison with another speaker, they become fluent.  This is known as ‘Choral Speech’.  By allowing the user to hear his or her own voice with a pitch shift, a slight time delay or a combination of both, SpeechEasyä creates the illusion of another speaker speaking at the same time.  It is an emulation of choral speech.

1.5        What evidence is there of the fluency enhancing the effects of DAF and FAF?

Ten years of scientific research conducted at Dalhousie University and East Carolina University have shown that the use of DAF and FAF can significantly enhance fluency levels in a variety of situations including reading, monologue, using the telephone and speaking in front of an audience.  This research has been published in top scientific journals.  (Please refer to the Links/References section of the website.)

1.6        But I heard DAF should only be used to slow down the rate of speech in a similar manner to what is taught in traditional therapies…..

Not true.  The use of DAF with people who stutter has been around for 50 years; but in the early days, long delays of 200 ms and higher induced slower speaking rates which were thought to be responsible for the higher fluency levels attained.  Since then it has been found that DAF enhances fluency at much smaller delays (50 – 100 ms), and even at delays as minimal as 25 ms, without a decrease in speech rate.  Furthermore, DAF has shown to enhance fluency even when speaking at fast rates.  (Please refer to the Links/References section of the website.)

1.7        If AAF has been around for so long, why has it taken so long for SpeechEasyä to become available?

The use of AAF in helping people who stutter become more fluent remained essentially a clinical phenomenon for such a long time due to the large bulky devices that were used to provide the effects.  Only with recent technological advances have these effects been captured in a device so small and inconspicuous, allowing them to be used outside of clinical environments.

1.8        How did the technology come about?

Upon request from East Carolina University , a Canadian company named Micro-DSP developed both the algorithm and the hardware which power the SpeechEasyä device.   SpeechEasyä employs the most advanced digital technology on the market and possesses the power equivalent of a desktop computer. 

1.9        How long has SpeechEasyä been around?

East Carolina University received the first prototypes in April 2001.  Since then Dr. Joseph Kalinowski (one of the inventors and himself a severe stutterer) has been using SpeechEasyä to help him communicate, and finds the device invaluable.  Sales of SpeechEasyä began in June 2001.

1.10    Who markets SpeechEasyä?

SpeechEasyä is manufactured and marketed by Janus Development Group, Inc., based in Greenville , NC .  (www.janusdevelopment.com)

2.1        What models of SpeechEasyä are available?

SpeechEasy comes in two models, Basic and Advanced.  The Basic model is an updated version of our original SpeechEasy™ product which we first offered to the public in June 2001.  While it does not contain all the features of our Advanced model, it is still a very robust and functional device.  The SpeechEasy™ Advanced is our latest model, and integrates several new pieces of technology into an already effective fluency tool.  The combination of these new technologies and the availability of added options make this model highly user-friendly and more comfortable for the client.

2.2        What shell styles of SpeechEasy™ are available?

SpeechEasy comes in three shell styles (see pictures on Janus website).  The Behind-The-Ear (BTE) is an external device that fits over the ear and attaches to a mold that fits in the ear.  This is the largest and most durable of the devices.  The second is an In-The-Canal (ITC) style.  This style fits in the ear canal and is relatively inconspicuous, with only the outer shell visible in the ear.  The ITC also features external gain (volume) control.  The third style is the Completely-In-Canal (CIC), which sits completely in the ear canal.  It is almost totally inconspicuous, and due to wide dynamic range compression does not require external gain control.

2.3        Which shell style is best?

That depends.  For those who want the device to be as inconspicuous as possible, obviously the CIC appears to be the best option (although it is priced slightly higher than the ITC).  However, for some people with smaller ear canals, a CIC may not be a viable option. Also, some people may require or prefer the external gain control option.

2.4        What are frequency-shaping bands and what do they do?

Each frequency-shaping band represents an area of ‘resolution’ within the range of sound.  Our Advanced model contains twice as many of these bands as our Basic model, thus allowing your provider to better ‘fine-tune’ the device to your specific needs.  We like to compare this feature to those found on a digital camera.  Within digital camera technology, higher resolutions will result in a better and clearer picture – likewise, more frequency bands used to alter the sound in a SpeechEasy™ device will result in a richer, more robust effect.

2.5        How does the Intelligent Noise Attenuation Strategy™ (INAS) work?

INAS enables SpeechEasy™ to analyze incoming sound for information content, like speech, and instantly accentuates the frequency ranges associated with these sounds.  At the same time, it reduces the volume of frequency ranges that contain noise.  The end result of this technology is that the user experiences less distracting background noise and can wear his/her SpeechEasy™ with greater comfort.

2.6        How does the Effective Voice Activation Technology™ (EVAT) work?

This feature is based on the strength and distance of sound waves.  Stronger waves (from closer sources) are used to activate the SpeechEasy™ device, while weaker sounds (from more distant sources) are muted.  Ultimately, your own voice is delayed and altered instead of others, thereby allowing you to hear normally when you are not speaking.

2.7        What are the benefits of having an external volume control?

A SpeechEasy™ device fitted with an external volume control can be adjusted manually by the user at any time.  The added convenience of this feature can be extremely valuable in noisy situations such as rock concerts, sporting events, or operating machinery.

2.8        What is the second memory option and why would I need it?

Some SpeechEasy™ users may need different setups for different environments.  For example, you may find the setup of a 75ms delay time useful under normal conditions, but may need a longer delay when speaking publicly.  With the dual memory option, you only have to switch from one memory to the other to meet your needs.

2.9        How is SpeechEasyä programmed?

Our trained professionals program SpeechEasyä by using a Personal Computer and SpeechEasyä software.  DAF can be programmed from 25 to 120ms (25 to 220ms for Advanced), and FAF can be set at 500, 1000, 1500 or 2000 Hz shifts up or down.  An internal gain control can also be programmed with the gain for eight frequency channels (sixteen for Advanced) adjustable to produce the best signal.  With this flexibility, SpeechEasyä can be programmed to match the needs of most individuals who stutter.

2.10    What is the advantage of having a SpeechEasy™ which is upgradeable?

While all present SpeechEasy™ models are up-to-date and effective, we will continue to upgrade our devices as technology improves.  In an effort to foresee upcoming technological changes, our Advanced model was designed and created on a digital platform which allows for upgrading the device by simply updating its software.  Customers who purchase our SpeechEasy™ Advanced will be offered these upgrades as they become available (an additional fee may be charged for this service at that time).

2.11    As the gain can be controlled, can SpeechEasyä damage my hearing?

No.  SpeechEasyä is not designed to provide enough gain to damage hearing.  It employs special circuitry which compresses loud sound signals to a comfortable hearing level – thus ensuring the safety of your hearing.

2.12    Do I need to wear a SpeechEasyä device in both ears?

Research has shown that fluency enhancement derived from receiving the effects binaurally is the most effective. It should be noted, however, that monaural effects significantly inhibit stuttering frequency compared to non-altered auditory feedback. At present we recommend SpeechEasyä for monaural use, and early results from our clients suggest that the effects are robust enough not to warrant binaural use. 

2.13    How do I know SpeechEasyä will fit my ear?

Each SpeechEasyä device is custom fit to an individual’s ear canal.  An audiologist takes an ear mold impression and the device is custom made for an individual using the impression of his/her ear.

3.1        How effective is SpeechEasyä?

SpeechEasyä has now been tested on over 1300 people who stutter.  Approximately 85% to 90% of those who have tried the device have improved their fluency level.  Of those 1300 clients currently using our device, levels of fluency enhancement have varied from about 50% improvement up to 95% improvement.

3.2        Do males and females respond differently?

No differences have been observed in the effectiveness of SpeechEasyä across genders.

3.3        Will I become fluent immediately?

Some people are especially susceptible to the effects of AAF and seem to become fluent almost immediately upon inserting the SpeechEasyä device.  However, some people require minimal training to derive the best benefits.  During the assessment, the SpeechEasyä Provider will train the user over a period of about two hours to derive the best benefits.  During this time, most users become comfortable using the effects and see a continual enhancement of fluency.  However, many users have stated that after they receive the device, use it for a few days, and employ the easy strategies taught by the provider, they achieve their highest fluency levels. 

3.4        Will SpeechEasyä cure stuttering?

SpeechEasyä is NOT a cure for stuttering.  We compare using the device to wearing glasses.  The effects are present while the device is in use and absent upon removal of the device.  Some users report ‘carry-over’ fluency, meaning that their fluency persists for some time after removal of SpeechEasyä.  However, no data exists to support this notion, and it is recommended that users of SpeechEasyä wear the device as often as possible to get the best effects.

3.5        How well does SpeechEasyä work in children?

Children seem especially susceptible to the beneficial effects of SpeechEasyä.   Every child tested to date has responded very well, showing very high levels of fluency while wearing SpeechEasyä with almost no training.  It should be noted that the ITC model is recommended for children.

3.6        Do the effects of SpeechEasyä wear off?

Many people who stutter complain about relapse following traditional therapy, and this is an understandable concern.  To date, nobody has complained about ‘adapting’ to the effects with SpeechEasyä losing its power.  On the contrary, most people who use SpeechEasyä claim that as they get accustomed to the device and learn to integrate the signal, their fluency levels seem to continue to improve.

3.7        Is there scientific evidence to support the long-term benefits of SpeechEasyä?

 Ten years of research have been conducted to test the effects of AAF, but to date no long-term data is available using an in-the-ear device.  Two long-term efficacy studies are underway, and others are in the making.  However, inventors and producers were reluctant to further delay the availability of SpeechEasyä for people who want to realize the benefits now.

3.8        Is SpeechEasyä an alternative to stuttering therapy?

SpeechEasyä may be viewed as an alternative or adjunct to stuttering therapy.  Some users require no further training when using SpeechEasyä, and some require minimal training.  People who have learned traditional therapy techniques and employ them when using SpeechEasyä report much higher levels of fluency enhancement and more natural sounding speech when using SpeechEasyä.

4.1    How do I get a SpeechEasyä device?

The first step is to contact the SpeechEasyä Provider closest to you.  This device is still relatively new and Janus Development is in the process of setting up competent dealers who are certified Speech Language Pathologists across the country and around the world.  The Provider will be able to set up an appointment for a person to come in and be evaluated using the SpeechEasyä device.

4.2    What does the evaluation involve?

The evaluation consists of a basic stuttering evaluation, followed by testing of a demo SpeechEasy model under various settings and during different speech tasks. 

4.3    What’s the next step?

If a person decides that he or she likes the effects and chooses to purchase SpeechEasyä, an ear mold impression needs to be taken by an audiologist, along with a hearing evaluation.  The ear mold impression is then sent to a shell lab for custom assembly of the device.  NOTE: Due to lack of ready access to an audiologist, some Providers ask clients to see an audiologist ahead of time, and bring with them a hearing evaluation and ear mold impressions.  This speeds up the overall process.

4.4        How long will it be until I receive my custom SpeechEasyä device?

Currently, please allow three weeks following the assessment to receive your SpeechEasyä device.  We are making efforts to improve the manufacturing process of our device, and anticipate that turn-around times should improve dramatically in the near future.

4.5        What are my payment options?

Full payment of the purchase price is required before the ear mold impression can be sent to the lab for assembly of the device.  Janus Development is exploring relationships with finance and credit card companies, but none exist at present.

4.6        Will medical insurance cover SpeechEasyä?

Due to the number of variables associated with medical insurance (provider, amount of coverage, state where located, etc.), it is highly recommended that each customer make it his/her responsibility to explore this method of payment.  Janus Development Group is doing everything possible to encourage insurance providers to assist payment for our device, but at the present time we are not having a great deal of success.  It is suggested that potential customers contact their own insurance companies for information regarding coverage.  

4.7      Are there other sources of financial assistance?

Please check with Vocational Rehabilitation Services, VA benefits, Flexible Spending Plans through your employer, civic organizations, community organizations, and foundations.