FluencyPod: Making Delayed Auditory Feedback More Accessible
There is no single approach that works for anyone who stutters. While many people may benefit from speech therapy, others may find assistive technology to be a useful option, either alongside therapy or as a standalone tool.
Speak For Less developed the FluencyPod, a discreet in-ear anti-stuttering device that uses Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF) technology. While the name may sound technical, the idea behind it is surprisingly simple.
What is Delayed Auditory Feedback?
Many people who stutter notice that they speak more fluently when reading aloud in unison with someone else, singing, or even speaking while listening to music through headphones. This phenomenon is known as the choral speech effect and has been recognised for decades by researchers and speech-language professionals. A well-known example can be seen in The King’s Speech, where King George VI speaks more fluently whilst listening to music through headphones.
Researchers believe these situations temporarily change the way the brain processes speech, helping to reduce stuttering for many people. Delayed Auditory Feedback aims to recreate a similar effect without needing another person to speak alongside you.
The FluencyPod picks up the speaker’s voice through a tiny microphone and plays it back into their ear with a very slight delay, just 70 milliseconds. Most users notice an increase in fluency immediately.
Making DAF Wearable
The FluencyPod was developed to make this technology practical for real-world speaking scenarios. Its discreet in-ear design allows users to wear it comfortably while speaking in real-world situations, whether that’s at work, in education, during social interactions, or over the phone.
Founded by Personal Experience
Speak For Less was founded by someone who stuttered since childhood and has personally used Delayed Auditory Feedback for more than ten years. After experiencing the benefits first-hand, the goal became to make this technology easier to access while also providing balanced information about who it may and may not help. The FluencyPod is not a cure for stuttering, and results vary from person to person.
Supporting Both Individuals and Clinicians
Alongside the FluencyPod, Speak For Less also provides a free web-based DAF app, allowing anyone to experience Delayed Auditory Feedback using earbuds or headphones before considering a dedicated device. Speak For Less also offers a free Clinical DAF Resource Kit for speech-language professionals who are interested in learning more about integrating DAF into speech therapy.
Looking Ahead
There is no single approach that works for people who stutter. Some people choose speech therapy, others use technologies such as Delayed Auditory Feedback, and many use a combination of both.
Speak For Less’s mission is to make Delayed Auditory Feedback more accessible, easier to understand, and available to anyone who wishes to explore whether it may help improve their fluency.
