title: Self-reported efficacy of an ear-level prosthetic device that delivers altered auditory feedback for the management of stuttering.
abstract: Numerous past efficacy studies in stuttering treatment have typically failed to assess generalization of therapeutic gains across speaking environments over time. The purpose of this study was to use a self-report format to gain insight into the improvements of clients who purchased an all in-the-ear device that provides altered auditory feedback to manage stuttering symptoms across everyday speaking situations. A total of 105 participants (age 7-81 years) returned completed questionnaires that examined seven parameters of stuttering behavior before acquiring the prosthetic device and after using the device with minimal clinical intervention for an average of 6 months. Across each parameter, participants rated a significant (P<0.001) improvement of approximately two units on seven-point scales after beginning to use the prosthetic device. In addition, the device received high overall satisfaction ratings, with a median score of 2.0 on the seven-point scale. Self-report is a 'must' for examining clinical efficacy in a disorder such as stuttering, which is so amenable to 'clinic room fluency' yet highly resistant to long-term amelioration. The data suggest that this device is helping to provide its users with functional, effective and efficient management of stuttering without the need for extended clinical follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, School of Allied Health, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA. kalinowskij@mail.ecu.edu
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kalinowski
authors.forename: Vijaya K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Guntupalli
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stuart
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saltuklaroglu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D002648:Child; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013342:Stuttering / Q000534:rehabilitation*