iPhone Being Used To Treat Stuttering
January 28, 2009
As if the iPhone wasn't capable of enough tasks, the scientists at Hollins Communications Research Institute have just completed their trials using the iPhone as a therapy tool to assist their clients communication skills in real-life situations and so far the results are positive.
A voice monitoring program was designed for the iPhone to evaluate and score speech behaviors taught during therapy in outside environments. Clients can take the iPhone with them wherever they go and the iPhone will measure fluency and display it immediately on the screen. Having the data displayed immediately allegedly assists in the speed in which fluency can be achieved.
The iPhone also stores all of the speech data that is recorded so the therapists can later pull the data from the iPhone to analyze speech behaviors when clients are away from the facility.
"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."As of January 26th, the iPhone will be used regularly for stuttering treatment at HCRI. HCRI's stuttering program helps clients replace faulty muscle contractions that cause stuttering. An estimated 66 million people worldwide suffer from the effects of stuttering. [via HCRI]