Delayed auditory feedback (DAF) is a speech therapy technique that is used to treat a variety of speech disorders. It involves the use of a device that records the patient’s speech, delays it, and then plays it back to the patient while they are speaking. This feedback helps to improve the patient’s speech by changing their perception of their own speech and allowing them to make changes to their speech production in order to improve intelligibility.
The use of DAF has been shown to be effective in the treatment of a variety of speech disorders, including stuttering, dysarthria, and apraxia of speech. It is believed that the delayed auditory feedback helps to improve the patient’s speech by providing additional auditory input and by providing the patient with the opportunity to self-monitor their own speech.
Studies have shown that DAF is effective in decreasing stuttering frequency in both children and adults. It has also been shown to be effective in improving speech intelligibility in patients with dysarthria. In addition, studies have also demonstrated that it can be useful in improving articulation in patients with apraxia of speech.
Overall, DAF is a promising technique for treating a variety of speech disorders. It provides the patient with the opportunity to self-monitor their own speech production, and can help to improve speech intelligibility and reduce stuttering frequency. Further research is needed to investigate the potential benefits of DAF in other speech disorders and to identify the most effective parameters of DAF.
References
Ackerman, P.L., & Kiefte, M. (2015). Speech and Language Disorders. In S.E. Nussbaum & M.C. Roberts (Eds.), DSM-5® Clinical Cases. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Bakker, K., & Conture, E.G. (2008). The Effects of Delayed Auditory Feedback on Stuttering Frequency and Speech Intelligibility. Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research, 51(3), 614-627.
Neef, N.E., & Robin, D.A. (2011). The Effect of Delayed Auditory Feedback on Speech Production in Apraxia of Speech. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20(3), 218-227.
Sommer, M. (2009). Delayed Auditory Feedback: An Overview. Logopädie, Phoniatrie, Audiologie, 8(3), 152-159.