Self-reported efficacy of an ear-level prosthetic device that delivers altered auditory feedback for the management of stuttering

Abstract

Numerous past efficacy studies in stuttering treatment have typically failed to assess generalization of therapeutic gains across speaking environments over time. The purpose of this study was to use a self-report format to gain insight into the improvements of clients who purchased an all in-the-ear device that provides altered auditory feedback to manage stuttering symptoms across everyday speaking situations. A total of 105 participants (age 7-81 years) returned completed questionnaires that examined seven parameters of stuttering behavior before acquiring the prosthetic device and after using the device with minimal clinical intervention for an average of 6 months. Across each parameter, participants rated a significant (P<0.001) improvement of approximately two units on seven-point scales after beginning to use the prosthetic device. In addition, the device received high overall satisfaction ratings, with a median score of 2.0 on the seven-point scale. Self-report is a 'must' for examining clinical efficacy in a disorder such as stuttering, which is so amenable to 'clinic room fluency' yet highly resistant to long-term amelioration. The data suggest that this device is helping to provide its users with functional, effective and efficient management of stuttering without the need for extended clinical follow-up.

The effectiveness of SpeechEasy during situations of daily living

“…Kalinowski et al (2004) reported a decrease in users' avoidance behaviours, as did 85.7% of participants in the current study. It is important to note that while avoidance of difficult words and situations were reduced for some people who use the device, this decrease in avoidance could also result in increased stuttering frequency due to an increase in frequency of speaking.…”

“…With respect to effects in SDL, information has been gathered in a variety of ways: an autobiographical account of one person's experiences with SpeechEasy (Kalinowski, 2003), a survey of client satisfaction (Kalinowski, Guntupalli, Stuart, & Saltuklaroglu, 2004), and a self-report inventory (Stuart et al, 2006). None of the methodologies employed to date involve direct observation of SpeechEasy's effect on fluency during everyday activities.…”

“…Kalinowski et al (2004) obtained information from 105 people who purchased a device and had been using it, on average, for six months. Using a 7-point scale to gauge several aspects of use related to daily life situations, Kalinowski et al reported significant improvements in overall fluency and naturalness during telephone and face-to-face conversations; increased telephone use; fewer avoidance behaviours; and high overall satisfaction.…”

Investigations of the impact of altered auditory feedback in-the-ear devices on the speech of people who stutter: One-year follow-up

“…In a more comprehensive study Kalinowski et al 4 described overall satisfaction and selfperceived differences in stuttering behaviours prior to and following fitting of the self-contained ear-level device among a cohort that purchased the device from three different distribution centers. Questionnaires were mailed to 250 individuals.…”

“…These findings, however, are consistent with previous improvements/reductions in self-reported measures of stuttering behaviour from a cohort of 105 users of the self-contained ITE device. 4 In a similar design, where opinion was questioned following an average of six months of device use, they rated their perceptions after using the device and were also asked to recall there perceptions before fitting. They reported a perceived significant positive improvement in overall stuttering frequency, reduction in the use of speech and situational avoidances, increased speech naturalness, decreased frequency of stuttering while using the telephone, increased frequency of telephone use and decreased stuttering frequency in conversation.…”