Therapeutic device to ameliorate stuttering
First Claim
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1. A device for ameliorating stuttering supported by the ear of an individual, said device comprising:
- (a) a housing having opposing distal and proximal surfaces, wherein at least said proximal surface configured for positioning within the ear canal of said individual;
(b) a wave signal processor contained within said housing, said wave signal processor comprising;
(i) a receiver, said receiver generating an input signal responsive to an auditory signal associated with said individual'"'"'s speech;
(ii) a delayed auditory feedback circuit operably associated with said receiver for generating a delayed auditory signal; and
(iii) a transmitter contained within said housing and operably associated with said delayed auditory feedback circuit for transmitting a delayed auditory signal to said individual; and
(c) a power source operatively associated with said wave signal processor for supplying power thereto.
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Abstract
A device and method for ameliorating stuttering by providing an altered auditory feedback by employing a compact device configured for positioning in or adjacent the ear canal of an individual. The portable, self-contained device can be used on a "chronic" basis and includes a receiver for receiving auditory signals, an auditory delay and or frequency shift circuit, and a transmitter for transmitting the altered signal to the individual user.
118 Citations
54 Claims
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1. A device for ameliorating stuttering supported by the ear of an individual, said device comprising:
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(a) a housing having opposing distal and proximal surfaces, wherein at least said proximal surface configured for positioning within the ear canal of said individual; (b) a wave signal processor contained within said housing, said wave signal processor comprising; (i) a receiver, said receiver generating an input signal responsive to an auditory signal associated with said individual'"'"'s speech; (ii) a delayed auditory feedback circuit operably associated with said receiver for generating a delayed auditory signal; and (iii) a transmitter contained within said housing and operably associated with said delayed auditory feedback circuit for transmitting a delayed auditory signal to said individual; and (c) a power source operatively associated with said wave signal processor for supplying power thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A device for ameliorating stuttering positioned BTE of an individual, said device comprising:
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(a) an ear mold having a portion adapted to be received into the ear of said individual; (b) a housing in communication with said ear mold configured for positioning behind the ear of said individual; (c) a receiver positioned adjacent said housing, said receiver generating an input signal responsive to an auditory signal associated with speech of said individual; (d) a delayed auditory feedback circuit disposed in said housing and operatively associated with said receiver for generating a delayed auditory signal; (e) a transmitter operably associated with said delayed auditory feedback circuit for transmitting the delayed auditory signal to the individual; and (f) a power source operatively associated with said receiver, said delayed auditory feedback circuit, and said transmitter for supplying power thereto. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 49)
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46. A method for chronic amelioration of stuttering, comprising the steps of:
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(a) positioning a self-contained ameliorative stuttering device for receiving auditory signals associated with an individual'"'"'s speech in close proximity to the ear of an individual, the device being adapted to be in communication with the ear canal of said individual; (b) receiving an audio signal associated with said individual'"'"'s speech; (c) generating a delayed auditory signal responsive to the received audio signal; (d) transmitting the delayed auditory signal to the ear canal of the individual. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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Specification