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Stammering: latest research findings
Archived series ("Inactive feed" status)
When? This feed was archived on March 23, 2022 12:09 (). Last successful fetch was on April 20, 2021 14:08 ()
Why? Inactive feed status. Our servers were unable to retrieve a valid podcast feed for a sustained period.
What now? You might be able to find a more up-to-date version using the search function. This series will no longer be checked for updates. If you believe this to be in error, please check if the publisher's feed link below is valid and contact support to request the feed be restored or if you have any other concerns about this.
Manage episode 121001331 series 101474
There is well documented evidence that if you change how a stammerer hears they way they are speaking, they will stammer less. Using this finding, 10 years ago saw the introduction of new devices (especially in-ear devices) that purported to help people stop stammering. But these fluency aids have not lived up to early promise- indeed many people who were thought to be ‘cured’ have found their stammer is back, as marked as before.
Now Oliver Cheadle has been conducting new research at UCL, this time using vibration, through the skin, rather than sound. He discusses his findings with Lee Millam in this podcast.
Oli used a vibrotactile device. On average, the device reduced stuttering by 22%, but the average figure masks massive variation.
- Vibrotactile speech feedback significantly reduced stuttering, albeit much less so than in previous studies (an average 22% reduction in stuttering as compared to an average 71-80% reduction in earlier studies).
- The different types of vibrotactile speech feedback used (i.e. different placements on the body, different amplitudes, different delays) did not significantly affect how much it reduced stuttering.
- There was a lot of variation between participants – one participant experienced a 60% reduction in stuttering under vibrotactile speech feedback while another experienced a 39% increase.
There was no carry-over – when the vibration was switched off, the person stuttered as usual.
Drawn to this area of research from his own personal circumstances, Oli’s conclusion is that some people will find the device useful for specific situations (perhaps when having to give a presentation), and it can be worn discreetly, at low vibration levels.
However, he counsels against miracle cures and suggests instead that the best course of action for people who stammer is to do therapy that focuses on accepting stammering; accepting that you are a person who stammers – but it is not the most important thing about you.
Picture: Art made by sound vibrations by Jennicatpink
- Project 5am – The Dream
- Lucky Dragons – Open Melody
- the repetition of sounds or syllables – such as saying ‘mu-mu-mu-mummy’
- prolonging sounds – for example ‘mmmmmmummy’
- pausing or ‘blocking’ – when a word gets stuck or doesn’t come out at all
- Developmental stammering is the most common type of stammering that many people are familiar with. It develops during childhood as a child is first learning how to speak.
- Acquired or late-onset stammering can occur in older children and adults as the result of a severe head injury, stroke or a progressive neurological disease (disease affecting the nervous system). It can also be caused by certain drugs or medication, or psychological or emotional trauma.
- working to create an environment in which a child feels more relaxed and confident about their use of language
- working on feelings associated with stammering, such as fear and anxiety
- strategies to improve fluency and communication skills
The post Stammering: latest research findings appeared first on Pod Academy.
59 episodes
Archived series ("Inactive feed" status)
When? This feed was archived on March 23, 2022 12:09 (). Last successful fetch was on April 20, 2021 14:08 ()
Why? Inactive feed status. Our servers were unable to retrieve a valid podcast feed for a sustained period.
What now? You might be able to find a more up-to-date version using the search function. This series will no longer be checked for updates. If you believe this to be in error, please check if the publisher's feed link below is valid and contact support to request the feed be restored or if you have any other concerns about this.
Manage episode 121001331 series 101474
There is well documented evidence that if you change how a stammerer hears they way they are speaking, they will stammer less. Using this finding, 10 years ago saw the introduction of new devices (especially in-ear devices) that purported to help people stop stammering. But these fluency aids have not lived up to early promise- indeed many people who were thought to be ‘cured’ have found their stammer is back, as marked as before.
Now Oliver Cheadle has been conducting new research at UCL, this time using vibration, through the skin, rather than sound. He discusses his findings with Lee Millam in this podcast.
Oli used a vibrotactile device. On average, the device reduced stuttering by 22%, but the average figure masks massive variation.
- Vibrotactile speech feedback significantly reduced stuttering, albeit much less so than in previous studies (an average 22% reduction in stuttering as compared to an average 71-80% reduction in earlier studies).
- The different types of vibrotactile speech feedback used (i.e. different placements on the body, different amplitudes, different delays) did not significantly affect how much it reduced stuttering.
- There was a lot of variation between participants – one participant experienced a 60% reduction in stuttering under vibrotactile speech feedback while another experienced a 39% increase.
There was no carry-over – when the vibration was switched off, the person stuttered as usual.
Drawn to this area of research from his own personal circumstances, Oli’s conclusion is that some people will find the device useful for specific situations (perhaps when having to give a presentation), and it can be worn discreetly, at low vibration levels.
However, he counsels against miracle cures and suggests instead that the best course of action for people who stammer is to do therapy that focuses on accepting stammering; accepting that you are a person who stammers – but it is not the most important thing about you.
Picture: Art made by sound vibrations by Jennicatpink
- Project 5am – The Dream
- Lucky Dragons – Open Melody
- the repetition of sounds or syllables – such as saying ‘mu-mu-mu-mummy’
- prolonging sounds – for example ‘mmmmmmummy’
- pausing or ‘blocking’ – when a word gets stuck or doesn’t come out at all
- Developmental stammering is the most common type of stammering that many people are familiar with. It develops during childhood as a child is first learning how to speak.
- Acquired or late-onset stammering can occur in older children and adults as the result of a severe head injury, stroke or a progressive neurological disease (disease affecting the nervous system). It can also be caused by certain drugs or medication, or psychological or emotional trauma.
- working to create an environment in which a child feels more relaxed and confident about their use of language
- working on feelings associated with stammering, such as fear and anxiety
- strategies to improve fluency and communication skills
The post Stammering: latest research findings appeared first on Pod Academy.
59 episodes
All episodes
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