Effects of Alterations in Auditory Feedback and Speech Rate on Stuttering Frequency

TLDR

This study investigated the effects of altered auditory feedback on stuttering frequency during speech production at two different speech rates. Nine stutterers read 300‑syllable passages under four auditory‑feedback conditions (nonaltered, masking, delayed, frequency altered) at both normal and fast rates. Stuttering frequency dropped significantly with delayed and frequency‑altered feedback at both speech rates, showing that slowing speech is not required for fluency and suggesting that altered feedback and speech‑rate modification jointly enhance fluency.

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of altered auditory feedback on stuttering frequency during speech production at two different speech rates. Nine stutterers, who exhibited at least 5% dysfluency during a reading task, served as subjects. They read eight different passages (each 300 syllables in length) while receiving four conditions of auditory feedback: nonaltered, masking, delayed, and frequency altered. For each auditory feedback condition, subjects read at both a normal and a fast rate. Results indicated that stuttering frequency was significantly decreased during conditions of delayed and frequency altered auditory feedback at both speech rates ( p < 0.05). These findings refute the notion that a slowed speech rate is necessary for fluency enhancement under conditions of altered auditory feedback. Considering previous research and the results of this study, it is proposed that there may be two interdependent factors that are responsible for fluency enhancement: alteration of auditory feedback and modification of speech production.