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From: Mike Hughes
Date: 10/9/01
Time: 8:34:03 AM
Remote Name: 134.29.30.79
Woody,
You are incorrect. The "carry-over" effect of electronic devices to alleviate stuttering has been well documented for years. My personal experience is with the Edinburgh Masker, although the DAF device marketed by David Kehoe does have this feature.
I bought the Edinburgh Masker from the Foundation For Fluency about 1981. The first weekend I tested it, it worked so well and so immediately that I set out to become the Canadian distributor of the device. I have had contact with hundreds of people considering using the device. Personally, I used it day and night for two years; then, carefully, I began to wean myself from the Masker. When I began experiencing relapses, I would put the device back on for a time and then, gradually begin weaning myself again.
It definitely was NOT "freaky." I grew my hair a bit longer and combed it over my ears to hide the earpieces. I closed the top button on my shirt to hide the compact pick-up microphone. I carried the body of the device hidden on my belt. One month after purchasing the Masker, I went into my boss's office and requested a $5,000 per year raise-based SOLELY on my new ability to communicate. I easily was granted the raise and was disturbed to have such economic proof of how much my stutter had been costing me. Using this information, I backtracked my employment and was able to confirm earlier hidden costs of my disability.
The weaning was an option due to the "carryover" effect of electronic device. After using it for hours during the day, I found that I was able to speak more fluently after removing it than I had been able to speak before using the device. Carefully, I taught myself to gauge the amount of time needed to achieve this carryover effect. This effect grew longer month by month. Gradually, I found I was using the Masker less and less; due to this carryover effect.
Length of this "carryover effect" that you say does not exist? - approximately 19 years! Now, I keep my Masker in my desk. I rarely use it; but I always know that it is available. It is especially effective for telephone work, particularly conference calls.
Simply put, the Masker not only changed my life - it may have saved it. Suicide was an option at that time. I can remember later discussing the use of the Masker with an SLP non-stutterer who opposed its use (interestingly, SLPs who have stuttered appear to not oppose the use of an electronic device). Our discussion ended when I asked her if the use of the Masker should be considered before considering suicide. With the ignorance of any zealot unwilling to consider any alternatives, she replied: "Not necessarily!'
I immediately ended our discussion.
I realize that my personal story may not appease your request for proof. I recommend that you extend your knowledge by contacting the following people who have all published papers proclaimed the "carryover effect":
Frederick P. Murray, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, Communications Disorder Department University of New Hampshire
J. David Williams, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, Communications Department University of Illinois (I believe)
MartyJezer, Author, Stuttering: A Life Bound Up in Words
Jock Carlisle, Ph.D. Scientist, Author, Tangled Tongue: Living with a Stutter
Herb Goldberg Founder, Foundation For Fluency (has hundreds, perhaps thousands, of success stories about people using electronic devices to alleviate stuttering)
Once you have done your homework, contacted these people, and learned of the "carryover effect," I'll be happy to discuss this with you on next year's ISAD Online Conference. (By the way, I've included only some of the names of people who went public on this subject. There are many more who have experienced the effect but, due to respect for confidentiality, I will not use their names."
NOW that I've answered your question, please answer mine:
I am aware of and respect your reputation as a leader in the field of speech-language pathology, but do not know some details important to this discussion: Were/Are you a person who stutters moderately or severely? Have you personally tested such a device for at least 30 days? Why are you against their use? Would you prefer a stutterer chose suicide?