Stuttering treatment with a behind-the-ear type metronome for an adult stutterer

Abstract

Most stutterers can speak fluently when they time their speech to the rhythmic beat of a metronome. Although metronomes have been widely used for the treatment of stuttering, their effect is reportedly difficult to transfer to daily life. We devised a miniaturized portable electronic metronome that can be worn behind the ear, and applied it to an adult who stutters. The metronome can be programmed for a beat rate from 6 to 200 tone pips per minute, around which the user can adjust the rate up to ±10 or ±20%. The device has a switch enabling the user to set two levels of loudness programmed from 20 to 90 dB SPL. Our adult stutterer wore the device when she used the telephone during a period of three-and-a-half months. A reduction in the frequency of disfluency in her speech was observed not only during phone calls but also in the therapy room. The subject had earlier exhibited a tendency to avoid the telephone, but became able to call actively with use of the behind-the-ear metronome. She evaluated the device positively because she felt her stuttering improved in terms of naturalness of speech and reduced avoidance of verbal interaction.