Adult therapy and courses
Electronic fluency devices
BSA strongly recommends that, before purchasing an electronic fluency device, you seek an assessment from a speech and language therapist, to see if the device is likely to be suitable for you.
 What are electronic fluency devices?
Different types of devices
Apps and software
How do they work?
How well do they work?
How much do they cost?
Can I get help paying for one?
Trying a device on loan
What are electronic fluency devices?
They are devices intended to help people who stammer produce more fluent speech. They use a technology called Altered Auditory Feedback (AAF) to relay your voice back to you as you speak.
Different types of devices
 Single-component devices which fit into or around the ear, like hearing aids.
Multi-component devices consisting of a box about the size of a mobile phone, which is carried in the pocket, plus an earset and sometimes a separate microphone. The link from box to earset etc may be with or without a wire. A wireless link makes the device less visible, more like a single component device.
AAF telephone systems.
Devices available...
Apps and software
There are also apps and software which can be used in conjunction with a smartphone or computer.
Apps and Software available...
How do they work?
AAF devices take advantage of the 'choral effect' - a phenomenon well-known to many people who stammer, who find that they can produce fluent speech when they talk in unison with other people. The device relays your voice back to you either with a slight delay (Delayed Auditory Feedback or DAF) or with a slight alteration in pitch (Frequency-shifted Auditory Feedback or FAF), or may use both of these techniques. The alterations appear to produce a similar effect to speaking alongside another person. For a theory why this may help, see Heidi and her altered auditory feedback device.
Some devices can produce a hiss or buzz, which can be turned on to mask one's voice and help overcome a silent block (masking).
How well do they work?
To date there has not been any long-term, large-scale research which might help identify the effectiveness of electronic devices for different people in different situations.
The limited studies that have been carried out suggest a mixed picture, but it would be reasonable to think that about 60 per cent of people who stammer could find an electronic device helpful, these tending to be those whose stammering is more severe. There are unanswered questions about how long the benefits of a device might last.
A device can be used in conjunction with speech therapy - for example, to help you to practice techniques which previously were too difficult.
For more:
Electronic devices - Spring 2007 Speaking Out article which sets out some issues to consider.
Links to user experiences and articles...
Can I get help with paying for one?
NHS
NHS funding for such devices is not generally available, although one supplier is making its device available to some NHS speech and language therapy departments so that patients can have the opportunity to try it.
Access to Work grants
If you are working, or wanting to start work, you may be able to obtain funding though the Access to Work scheme. You or your employer may need to pay part of the cost.
Jobcentre Plus policy at one stage was that they would not give Access to Work grants for fluency devices because they were medical equipment. However, following representations from the BSA, they have told us that they are now prepared to fund the devices for a trial period, following which they will review the situation again. In addition to the usual Access to Work eligibility criteria (see direct.gov.uk website and our article Access to career), applicants will need to have an assessment by a speech and language therapist, and to have used a fluency device for a trial period. If you are a BSA member, you can borrow a device from us in order to have a trial period.
If you have difficulties with the Access to Work application process, please let BSA know.
 Student allowance granted for fluency device - article from our magazine Speaking Out, Spring 2008.
Trying a device on loan
The supplier of a device may offer a trial period. However, if you are a BSA member there are further options to borrow a VoiceAmp or SpeechEasy device:
VoiceAmp
You can borrow from BSA a (non-wireless) VoiceAmp device for the standard deposit of £250 for two weeks, refundable on good return of the device.
If you wish to borrow the device, you should send two cheques made payable to BSA (address): one for £250, and one for £7 to cover the postage by special delivery which is required for insurance purposes. We hold onto the £250 cheque and do not cash it unless there is a problem with the return of the device.
Update - extended trial arrangements coming soon:
VoiceAmp will soon themselves be making trial devices available to everyone at £250 deposit for a 10 day trial (take home). They will also be hosting a free trial and calibration session every month in London and every second month in other locations around the UK. Details should appear shortly on the VoiceAmp website, or contact VoiceAmp. www.voiceamp.net
SpeechEasy
You can borrow a SpeechEasy device from Capital Audiology in London. For details see SpeechEasy free trial...
Other devices
Other devices which do not claim to use DAF or FAF.
More information
List of AAF devices
List of software
User experiences and articles
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