SpeechVive

SpeechVive

Chronic neurologic diseases, such as Parkinson's disease are debilitating conditions which progress over time. While the physical symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease are easily recognized by the general public, the decrease in communicative ability associated with Parkinson’s disease is an often overlooked symptom, which affects a majority of this population. Boxing legend Muhammad Ali is an example of how Parkinson’s disease can affect a patient's speech pattern. This speech condition, known as hypokinetic dysathria, is characterized by reduced vocal volume, impaired speech rate and diminished articulation.

How SpeechVive Works

SpeechVive detects when the patient is speaking using an accelerometer which is built into the earpiece. During speech, the device plays a background sound into the user's ear. The background sound, which resembles a room full of people talking during a party, is a natural cue that elicits louder and clearer speech through an involuntary reflex known as the Lombard Effect.

SpeechVive is designed to elicit improved speech clarity without placing cognitive demand on the patient. SpeechVive does not require training or behavioral modification and may immediately improve a patient's speech clarity, by altering volume, articulation or speech rate.

When a patient is not speaking, the SpeechVive device turns off the background sound, which enhances the patient's ability to hear and communicate effectively.

Am I a good candidate for SpeechVive?

A good SpeechVive candidate will have a diagnosis of Parkinson Disease and will have experienced changes in their voice that may include; decreased volume, increased rate, or poor articulation. Others may perceive your speech as too soft, too rushed, or mumbled.

SpeechVive has been proven to increase clarity and volume for patients who have had DBS and who have already completed a speech therapy program. SpeechVive does not require the wearer to think about their speech so it works well with wearers who may experience cognitive decline.

SpeechVive prompts the user to speak at an increased volume every time they speak. This means that the SpeechVive user practices strengthening their voice each time they speak with the device on. People who do not want to wear a device in their ear will not make good SpeechVive candidates. People who rarely speak or are not willing to talk with others while wearing the device will not make good SpeechVive candidates.

When people speak in a true whisper they are only using their breath to make sounds and their vocal cords don't vibrate. In order for the SpeechVive device to work you must have some vocal cord movement. People who are unable to speak above a whisper are therefore not good candidates for SpeechVive. If you cannot speak above a whisper your speech-language pathologist can use a different technique to help you.

I already wear a hearing aid. Can I still use SpeechVive?

If you wear one hearing aid you may wear the device in your other ear. If you wear two hearing aids you may still use the device but will have to take one of your hearing aids out.

Your speech-language pathologist can further help you determine if SpeechVive is the best therapeutic approach for you. If you still have questions or you would like assistance finding a SpeechVive trained clinician, please email us at: mfonseca@speechvive.com