Stammering Apps & Devices

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

Find out about the different types of stammering apps and devices, what they do and how effective they are, below.

On this page:

Is using an app/device the 'right' thing to do?
Apps to increase fluency
Other apps
Apps for parents
Do apps work?
Stammering devices

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.

Is using an app/device the 'right' thing to do?

Some people feel comfortable with their stammer. Some feel proud of their difference. They might view the problem as being the way society doesn't make space for them. Others might not feel so positive, and some might have a mixture of feelings.

There's no right or wrong way for dealing with stammering. It's about what feels right for you.

If you're looking for something to get you through a speaking situation you're worried about, apps or devices might help.

Apps to increase fluency

Some smartphone apps for adults aim to reduce stammering and increase fluency. To do this they use a technology called 'Altered Auditory Feedback' (AAF). Here’s how it works. You put in earphones and open the app. Then, whenever you speak you hear your voice played back in one of the following ways:

Delayed auditory feedback (DAF)

With this type, when you speak you'll hear your voice played back with a slight delay. This is called 'Delayed Auditory Feedback' (DAF). It kind of feels like you're speaking along with someone else. Some people find they stammer less while doing this. It's a phenomenon called 'the choral effect'.

Here are some examples of apps that use DAF:

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

Frequency-shifted Auditory Feedback (FAF)

Some apps may let you change the pitch of your voice when hearing it back. This is called 'Frequency-shifted Auditory Feedback' or FAF.

Masking

Some apps produce a humming sound while you speak. This 'masks' your voice. Again, some people find this makes them stammer less.

Do fluency apps 'work'?

Like with all approaches to stammering, apps are helpful for some people but not others. Some apps and some settings may be more effective than others. And any useful effects might last for some people and fade with time for others. Each person is likely to respond differently.

It's important to remember that apps won't cure stammering. See our page Is There A Stammering Cure? for more on this (spoiler: there isn't one).

Possible technical issues

Using such apps can be tricky in loud environments. Regular earphones might struggle to pick up just your voice and cancel out background noise.

Another thing to note is that wired earphones tend to be better with these apps than Bluetooth, which can have latency (delay) issues.

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

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.

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.

Stammering devices

An alternative to apps on smartphones are electronic fluency devices. These use the AAF technology mentioned above and have been around for decades. You can also use them as part of speech therapy — for example, to practise techniques.

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.

Do fluency devices 'work'?

As we've said about apps above, like with all approaches to stammering, devices are helpful for some people but not others. Some devices and some settings may be more effective than others. And any useful effects might last for some people and fade with time for others. Each person is likely to respond differently.

Also, it's important to remember that devices won't cure stammering. See our page Is There A Stammering Cure? for more.

Devices pros & cons

An advantage of devices over apps can be their higher technical and sound quality. This might make them more effective. For example, they come with a specialised microphone, earphones and technology. This can be better at picking up your voice and rejecting background noise than using your phone.

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

However, they're sold by companies in the U.S. and only one of those listed below ship to the UK.

Plus, devices can be expensive. The cheapest device costs over £600 and some sell for thousands of pounds.

It's also worth noting that devices are only aimed at increasing fluency via the 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 to buy

Casa Futura Technologies. This U.S. website sells a catalogue of devices. Most of them are available to customers in the UK.

The following companies also sell devices but unfortunately they do not offer shipping outside the U.S.:

SpeechEasy. In-ear devices. They are not available for UK customers but they do offer free fluency software you can download to your computer. It's called FluencyCoach and it uses the same basic technology (AAF) that the SpeechEasy device does. Listen to an episode of the StutterTalk podcast all about SpeechEasy.
Speak For Less. In ear devices available to U.S. customers.

Paying for a device

NHS funding for fluency devices is not generally available. Unfortunately, here at STAMMA we're not able to help with the cost of devices either.

However, 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. Contact the Student Disability or Support Service at your college or university to find out more.

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.

Try these. If you're in work or looking for work, get in touch with our Employment Support Service if you’d like help applying for a device via the methods above.

More support & information

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