News Release
September 6 2006.

First chance to see micro hearing aid device transform the life of a young woman who stammers.

In a documentary to be shown on Monday night, viewers will see more than 20 years of stammering virtually disappear the moment the new micro device is turned on. This is the hope offered by the new SpeechEasy device for people who stammer.

Heidi King, 25, of Norwich is the first person in the UK to speak openly after having the £3000 device fitted in New York. The device reduces stammering and makes it much easier to control. The dramatic improvement for Heidi shows that it helped her much better than other treatments.

The British Stammering Association today called for thorough research on devices like SpeechEasy to find out how much they will help people who stammer - particularly those whose stammer is more severe.

"We know these devices could be the best treatment available for some people who stammer," said British Stammering Association chief executive Norbert Lieckfeldt. "They need to be available through the NHS and we now need good research to show how and with whom they can be used most effectively."

The documentary producer, Julian Sturdy said that before, a few simple sentences could take Heidi an age to get out and be exhausting for her, but that now Heidi couldn't believe the transformation. All the years of struggling to talk had gone.

The documentary: 'Inside Out' is on BBC1 East, Monday September 11 at 7.30pm and nationwide on the Sky local BBC1 channel on 981 or 982.

For more information:

Norbert Lieckfeldt
020 8983 1003

Local case studies available (not with the device).

www.stammering.org
Helpline: 0845 603 2001
ends

See also: Electronic fluency devices