I have used the device several times in the past, never with an ALS pt. They required that anyone "evaluating" patients needed to be trained on the equipment, so I spent 2 days "learning" how to use it. I used it as part of an evaluation protocol with clients with severe dysarthria secondary to TBI and to CP. As part of my protocol, I administered the Sentence Intelligibility Test in 3 different conditions - with no enhancement, with a standard voice amplifier (I used a Chattervox), and with the Speech Enhancer. For 2 patients (out of at least 40), a significant difference was noted in intelligibility with the speech enhancer as compared to the other conditions, and both of those clients chose to go with the device. I lost touch with one client, and the other client is now using an iPad with Predictable and a Zygo voice amplifier. That client had MANY complaints about the equipment that went unresolved by the company.

Bottom line: I agree with Ed, for the most part it is not worth the money. The company is very slippery and difficult to pin down or get a response, and they evaded questions a lot. I have never had an ALS patient for whom the difference between that and a standard voice amplifier was significant. Furthermore, with regard to funding, a pALS who is already experiencing dysarthria is very likely to lose speech completely, at which point the speech enhancer is useless. But if they have gotten the device funded thru insurance, it is difficult to see how they would get a new one funded, especially if the deterioration happens within a year.

Lisa

On Tue, Feb 11, 2014 at 9:49 AM, Helen Paterson <xxxxxx@rhn.org.uk> wrote:

Dear all

I have had a query about the below technology: speech enhancer-I had never heard of it in the UK and wondered if anyone used it in the US. I am a bit sceptical that it could help a severe dysarthric but interested to know if anyone had trialled it?

http://www.speechenhancer.com/howitworks.htm

Kind regards

Helen

Helen Paterson | Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Compass Electronic Assistive Technology Service

The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability | West Hill, Putney, London, SW15 3SW

020 8780 4500 ex 5256 |xxxxxx@rhn.org.uk

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Lisa G. Bardach, MS CCC-SLP
Communicating Solutions, LLC
2314 Yorkshire Road
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Ann Arbor, MI 48104
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