Stammering Apps & Devices

Learn about the range of apps and devices available to help with stammering.

Read on to find out all about the most popular stammering apps, what they do and how effective they are.

Before smartphones, the only way to access the technology was through a fluency device. You can still buy these devices, and we've got details further down. But they're really expensive and essentially, apps now the same thing for a fraction of the cost.

Please note: the list isn't comprehensive. The fact we've included the apps/devices doesn't mean we endorse them.

If you'd like to chat about them, start a webchat or call our free helpline on 0808 802 0002.

On this page: 

Apps to increase fluency
Other apps
Apps for parents
About the technology
Do apps work?
Stammering devices

Apps to increase fluency

With the apps below, aimed at adults, you wear earphones or a Bluetooth earpiece. While you speak, they play your voice back a fraction of a second later. 

This has the effect of speaking along with someone else. Some people find they stammer less while doing this. It's called Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF). 

The apps might also change the pitch of your voice when hearing it back. Read more about this technology further down.

Apps available:

• DAF Pro
• Stamurai. This also lets you practise reading aloud, and gives guided meditation and breathing exercises.

Other apps

BeneTalk
This app doesn't aim to increase fluency, but it uses technology to monitor speech. It gives you feedback in real time. The aim is to help you make changes to your speech. For ages 8+.

App for parents

Penguin — Support for Stammering 
This app is a 10-day programme for parents whose child has started stammering. Each day has a short video with a task to help reflect on your situation. It then helps set up strategies to support yourself and your family. 

This app is used by quite a few NHS Speech & Language Therapy departments too. Read an article from Jaclyn, a speech & language therapist who was involved in creating the app.

About the technology

Apps that aim to increase fluency use an overall technology called 'Altered Auditory Feedback' (AAF). When you use the earphones, they alter what you hear in a few different ways:

DAF

'Delayed Auditory Feedback' (DAF) plays your voice back with a tiny delay, a bit like hearing an echo on a phoneline. As mentioned, it's like speaking along with someone else. Some people find they stammer less - it's a phenomenon called the 'choral effect'. 

FAF

And/or it could be with a slight change in pitch. This is sometimes called 'Frequency-shifted Auditory Feedback' or FAF. 

Masking

Some apps and devices produce 'white noise' like a hiss or a buzz. Or sometimes they play music when you speak. This masks your voice and can divert your attention away from your speech. Some people find this makes them stammer less. 

Sound familiar? You might recognise it as the approach used in The King's Speech. Or with Musharaf on Channel 4's Educating Yorkshire.

But it can make it hard to have a conversation if you're listening to music at the same time! 

Do apps work?

Like with all approaches to stammering, apps & devices are helpful for some people but not others. 

Each person is likely to respond differently. Sometimes you might find something helpful for a while and then less so later. 

It's important to remember that apps won't cure stammering. There isn't a cure (see our page Is There A Stammering Cure?) Apps & devices are only effective when you're using them. When you turn them off, stammering is likely to come back. 

But, if you're looking for something to get you through a speaking situation you're worried about, they might be for you. You can also use it as part of speech therapy — for example, to practise techniques.

Another point — smartphone apps may or may not work during telephone calls. Look at the app description and reviews, but ultimately you will need to test it on your phone. 

They usually work with a Bluetooth headset but this might add a further delay in the sound.

Using a fluency app helped with my confidence. 

Read LeeAnn's article 

Also, read Dave's article 'Getting through my Father of the Bride speech' to see how a device helped him.

Stammering devices

An alternative to apps are electronic fluency devices. As mentioned at the top of this page, these were around before apps and they offer AAF technology, which we explain above. 

There are two types of device:

• One which fits in or around the ear, like a hearing aid. 
• A handheld box you can slip into a pocket and use with a wireless or wired earphone.

Devices might be an option if you don't have a smartphone. Or if you want to use something separately from your phone.

They can be very expensive though — some devices sell for thousands of pounds. If you have a smartphone you're probably better off downloading an app for a fraction of the price. 

It's also worth noting that devices only provide AAF technology. They don't offer features that some apps do, eg speech tracking, exercises and reading practise.

Before spending a lot of money it might be an idea to get advice from a speech & language therapist. See One-to-one Adult Speech & Language Therapy to find a therapist near you.

Devices available

Here are some devices available to buy:

SpeechEasy. In-ear devices. The most established product on the market. Listen to the StutterTalk podcast to learn more about this particular type of device. 

VoiceAmp. Wired and wireless options are available.

Casa Futura Technologies. A website about stammering which includes a catalogue of devices.

Paying for a device

Unfortunately NHS funding for fluency devices is not generally available. But you might be able to get some help with costs through the following methods:

Disabled Student Allowances

If you're a student you may be eligible to apply for a Disabled Student Allowance. 

Access to Work grants

If you are working, or wanting to start work, you may be able to get funding though the Access to Work scheme. You or your employer may need to pay part of the cost. As well as the Access to Work eligibility criteria, you'll need to have an assessment by a speech & language therapist. You'll also need to have used a fluency device for a trial period.

Via your employer

If you are in work, it may be worth asking your employer if they could provide financial support to pay for a device. This is if it would make a big difference to the way you do your job.

If you have difficulty getting funding from any of the above sources, let us know. Email hello@stamma.org 

More support & information

• Self-help For Stammering
• Helpline & Webchat
• One-to-one Adult Speech & Language Therapy
• Communities & Stammering Groups

What next?

• Become A STAMMA Member for free and join the community. We'll keep you updated with our activities.
• Get involved with the STAMMA community. Find an event, fundraise, share your story, volunteer, take part in research and more.

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