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The effect of fast speech rate on stuttering frequency during delayed auditory feedback
Garen Sparks1, Dorothy E Grant, Kathleen Millay
1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Texas Woman's University, Dallas, TX, USA. garen@utdallas.edu
Journal of Fluency Disorders
|October 10, 2002
Summary
Delayed auditory feedback (DAF) may improve stuttering, but its effect varies with speech rate and stuttering severity. Further research is needed to understand this complex relationship.
Area of Science:
- Speech and Hearing Sciences
- Communication Disorders
Background:
- Delayed auditory feedback (DAF) is known to enhance speech fluency in individuals who stutter.
- Previous research suggests DAF's fluency benefits are linked to speech rate reduction.
- Emerging evidence indicates faster speech rates might also reduce stuttering under DAF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined effects of fast speech rates and DAF on stuttering frequency.
- To examine how stuttering severity influences the impact of DAF and speech rate on fluency.
Main Methods:
- Four individuals who stutter participated in the study.
- Oral reading tasks were conducted under conditions of normal and fast speech rates.
- Delayed auditory feedback (DAF) was applied and removed during these tasks.
Main Results:
- Mildly dysfluent subjects showed no change in fluency with or without DAF at normal or fast rates.
- Severely dysfluent subjects demonstrated improved fluency with DAF.
- Severely dysfluent subjects remained dysfluent at both normal and fast rates without DAF.
Conclusions:
- The effectiveness of DAF on stuttering may be modulated by speech rate.
- Stuttering severity appears to be a critical factor in how individuals respond to DAF.
- Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the interplay between speech rate, DAF, and stuttering frequency.