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From: Ken St. Louis
Date: 22 Oct 2012
Time: 10:50:35 -0500
Remote Name: 157.182.15.121
Dear Allan, You asked a number of questions. I'll try to answer them at least briefly. >>> Does the speecheasy work? If you mean by "work," Does the SpeechEasy"help" or "reduce stuttering?" the answer is "yes" in some cases, "no" in some cases, and "yes and no" in some cases. >>> For what kind of stutterers? According to Amber Snyder, an SLP who consults for Janus Development Group who manufactures the SpeechEasy device, it can be effective for all kinds of clients. Her 10 years of experience suggests that no one kind of stuttering should be excluded from consideration, although the greatest challenge is often for people whose stutter consists of silent blocks. In such cases, they don't hear anything when they start their stutter so the SpeechEasy may not be as effective at the outset of an utterance. That said, apparently some stutterers with silent blocks find their stuttering to be greatly reduced or even changed while using the device.>>>Is the rate of effectiveness only 20%? This is phrased to be a loaded question for which you probably expect a "yes." I don't believe anyone knows for sure what the long-term effectiveness rate is for the SpeechEasy although I have been following Larry Molt's clinical trial now for about 7 years (I believe). He has indicated that about 50% of his original subjects (who did not need to buy their devices) still gain benefit from them. From several other sources, the long term effectiveness rate seems to be around 50%. But one must be careful to define what is meant by that. The large majority of stutterers in the followup surveys that I have read report that that they found the device useful, even if they don't always wear it. Which measure, then do you take? Some stutterers only use their device on "bad days" or in "harder than usual" speaking situations. It seems to be clear-- although I have not seen good data to support it yet--SpeechEasy clients who engage in speech therapy after the device has been fitted benefit more than those who do not. It is for that reason that Janus Development Group recommends that all SpeechEasy users obtain speech therapy with a trained person after they purchase their devices. I found that to be a responsible position. >>> Do very mild stutterers benefit less from the speecheasy? I don't know the answer to this one. I suspect the answer would be not much different if you were asking about any therapy strategy. Perhaps others on the panel might have additional information. >>> If it works (at least for some stutterers), how come most speech therapists do not recommend or even mention anti stuttering devices to clients and families? I cannot speak for most speech-language pathologists, but I will speculate that you are right that most SLPs do not mention these devices. The most obvious reason is that most are not familiar with the device or that there is no one in their area who can fit one. Another reason might be that the initial cost is substantial, although it recently was reduced. In my own case, I have been suspicious of all types of claims of quick cures for stuttering over the years ("aecanap"'s if you will or "panacea" spelled backwards). Thus, I have waited for nearly 10 years to embrace the SpeechEasy as just one tool that I have to help people who stutter. Just this year, our clinic became a SpeechEasy dispenser, with me as the currently trained person who does the evaluations and followup therapy. I took this step because I have had too many stutterers who simply are not interested in--or are completely jaded about--traditional speech therapy. To date, I have only fitted two devices. One person moved back to his native Saudia Arabia shortly after, and the other person is still in followup. I can't judge my own success yet, but in the first case the person was too late to obtain speech therapy and in the second, the person was not at all interested in trying anymore speech therapy, even after I made a strong case for it. >>> I am aware that many on this forum are not fans of the SpeechEasy and may wish to offer alternate answers. For me, it is one more tool that can be used in certain situations. It is not a "miracle cure," and it is definitely not for many if not most people who stutter. Still, with an honest discussion of its pros and cons followed by responsible and competent fitting, early therapy with the device, and good followup, I am comfortable prescribing it. I hope this helps. Ken