Problems With the Speecheasy Device

Similar in design to a variety of hearing aids, the SpeechEasy device is used to reduce stuttering. The device creates a "choral effect," which naturally occurs when people speak or sing together. For someone with a stutter, this effect helps reduce the instances of stuttering. Despite the promising nature of the SpeechEasy, some problems have been reported.

Cost

• Perhaps the biggest deterrent for having a SpeechEasy is the cost for the device. As reported on the Speecheasy website, it can cost between $4,000 to more than $5,000 for a SpeechEasy, depending on the type of device you select. To curtail the costs, there are a variety of options available to pay for the device, including flexible spending plans, insurance reimbursement or leasing plans. You can also make payments in installments through the CreditCare plan.

Effectiveness

• Another reported problem with the Speecheasy device is its level of effectiveness. In "Recent Study Reports on SpeechEasy Use within Extra-Clinical Environments," researchers Ryan Pollard, John B. Ellis, M.S., Don Finan, Ph.D., and Peter R. Ramig, Ph.D, tested the SpeechEasy by having participants wear the device in conversation, while reading aloud and in conversation with strangers. The results of the study found that the "SpeechEasy was generally effective in reducing stuttering when immediately fit, but significant reductions in stuttering were not consistently maintained across four months of treatment."

Inconsistency

• The article "Recent Study Reports on SpeechEasy Use within Extra-Clinical Environments" also reported another problem with the SpeechEasy: It is inconsistent in its effectiveness. The study concluded that although an effective device in reducing stuttering during reading aloud, it was not as effective during normal conversation. Another problem is that in addition to amplifying the speaker's voice, it also amplified background noises, making it difficult to hear.