Researchers at the Hollins Communications Research Institute have created an iPhone app that helps treat speech impediment disorders. As a former stutterer – I wasn’t that bad but it was hard to stop – this is actually very cool.
Stuttering treatment usually requires a feedback loop to retrain the brain. This application listens to your voice in the field and offers immediate feedback, a process that usually depended on a desktop PC and special software used in an office. Now, however, stutterers can perform exercises and tests while they’re shopping, chatting, or at a restaurant. The software also records the samples taken in the field for later analysis at the research facility.
The iPhone device was programmed at HCRI with a sophisticated voice monitoring system that evaluates and scores speech behaviors taught during stuttering therapy. When clients use the device during training in outside situations, such as in a shopping mall, restaurant or business setting, fluency measurements for each utterance are displayed on the iPhone screen. Having this data immediately available to stuttering therapy program participants makes speech practice more effective and helps improve the speed with which fluency results are achieved.
In addition, the iPhone records every speech sample in an onboard file for later transmission to HCRI. This information enables the institute’s therapists to provide more detailed and precise training to clients, as they learn to apply new speech capabilities in everyday situations.
The application will be used at the HCRI and is in research stages right now. Don’t expect to pick it up at the App Store.
Wow – this kind of idea would also be great for learning a language, especially a tonal language like Chinese where the correct inflection is important
This is awesuu-uu-uu-um n-n-n-ews!
Mel, that was a pretty lame comment.
You don’t see us commenting on probably how ugly you are…. that would hurt too.
Dave
S-s-s-s-orry.
Mel which of course is not your real name and who is a singer who stuttered.
It is obvious that you are not sensitive to issues that people go through in their lives. I know it might sound like I am going overboard but seriously you should think before you post.
It would be like saying there was a technology breakthrough for cancer that would help people with terminal cancer make it easier for them and maybe yourself or someone you love had cancer, then me coming on this board and saying, hey what’s the difference, their going to die anyhow.
You would probably lash out at me right away but since you this does not relate to you, you post a bad comment.
Again, I know you were probably only joking but you should think twice.
Diane
Thanks Mel for all the encouragement. It is nice to know how ‘We’ stutterers are perceived by fluent but naive speakers like you.
I struggle everyday to get the words out and I bet you do not have a clue as to how a stutterer feels when he knows the answer to a question but cannot get it out.
Its not a joke u RETARTED FUCK! People go through so much bad times because they cant say what they want to say. You shouldnt be surprised if u stutter ur self in the future for making fun of the people who stutter.
PS>UR A GAY FAG
Yea, I can’t honestly think what inspired you to submit that comment.
stfu. noones perferct ur prob fat and disgusting at least we just stutter its not as bad. so fuck u
It’s always great to see how technology can make the day to day life better for people.
Hope people who need it will really benefit from it!
Thanks for the post John!
Maybe i’ll try it out, if it ever comes out on the App Store.
Alright alright. Of course it was in bad taste, probably insensitive, and I’m sorry. These words are not adequate, of course, so I’ll quote Archie from a Fish Called Wanda, who whilst dangling from a window offered these words:
“I offer a complete and utter retraction. The imputation was totally without basis in fact, and was in no way fair comment, and was motivated purely by malice, and I deeply regret any distress that my comments may have caused you, or your family, and I hereby undertake not to repeat any such slander at any time in the future.”
I f-f-f-f-or-giv-v-v-ve you-u-u
BITTTCH.. go fuck ur self
That’s nice of you Mel. :D
Congrat’s to Hollins Communications Research Institute for coming out with this app. A friend of mine will benefit from it. We’ll watch out for this in the App Store.
Mel – what are you, 12 years old? or just a redneck idiot with nothing better to do? your brand of “humor” was moderately entertaining in 6th grade but the rest of the world has moved on. get back to your 12-pack of PBR and watching NASCAR. or go punch rivets into sheet metal or whatever it is that ignoramuses do for a living nowadays.
So you NASCAR fans as an apparent insult? You aren’t any different than Mel then… And I hate Nascar.
That’s good stuff. Stuttering could be a debilitating thing to be sure. Stunting communication skills and confidence in the most extreme cases. I hope this helps stutterers young and old.
Looks like a good app. My stutter isn’t so bad anymore, though my speech still isn’t as fluent as I’d like it to be, and I’m looking forward to seeing this in the app store so I can try it out.
That is awesome! I look forward to trying it out. Where was this during my middle school years??? I hope it can help kids sooner rather than later.
Personally, I found Mel’s humour mildly amusing. This is the internet, not some Politically Correct PTA meeting or hyper-sensitive book club. If you’re easily offended, don’t read comments in a web 2.0 world.
I also, incidentally, think this app is a totally awesome idea, and shows great promise.
It’s always great to see how technology can make the day to day life better for people.
Hope people who need it will really benefit from it!
test comment
Wow, good stuff.
You made my day with your comments. this is the first time I laughed reading Techcrunch.
But now seriously, this is indeed a great app.
can normal stutterers get it not part of the program
WOW this is awesome might have to try it
wow this is soooo great i hope it works =]
i hate ppl who make fun of me and other stutters… noones perfect.