# Speech-Language Pathology/Stuttering/Casa Futura Technologies

* Anti-stuttering technology: DAF, FAF (octave-scale), MAF.
* Pocket-sized.
* Special features: vocal tension biofeedback; plugs into telephones; rechargeable batteries.
* Frequency range: 60-5000 Hz.
* Monaural (one ear) or binaural (two ears).
* Anti-background noise features: noise-canceling microphone, push-to-talk button, high-frequency filter, voice activation, acoustical transparency
* Website: http://www.casafuturatech.com
* Price: US$995 - US$3495

## Efficacy Studies
### DAF Long-Term Carryover Fluency

* Nine severe adult stutterers used Casa Futura Technologies DAF devices for an average of thirty minutes per day (ten minutes reading aloud, ten minutes conversation with family member, ten minute telephone call). After three months their stuttering had diminished more than 50% (when speaking without the devices).
* A single-subject study with an eleven-year-old boy found that fourteen hours of structured therapy with mediated learning and a Casa Futura Technologies DAF device reduced stuttering from 9% dysfluencies to 5% dysfluencies (when speaking without the device). One year later his stuttering was still 5% dysfluencies. Another fourteen hours of similar treatment reduced his stuttering to 4% dysfluencies.

### Compared to Other Anti-Stuttering Devices

* A Casa Futura Technologies DAF/FAF device was more than twice as effective when compared to another company's DAF/FAF anti-stuttering device.

### Immediate Effects on Stuttering

* Seven adult stutterers called businesses using a binaural (two ears) DAF/FAF anti-stuttering telephone device. Stuttering was reduced on average about 80%.
* Nine adult stutterers called businesses in New York City using a binaural (two ears) DAF/FAF anti-stuttering telephone device. Stuttering was reduced on average about 60%.
* Binaural (two ears) DAF reduced stuttering 71% and FAF reduced stuttering 64% in eleven adult female stutterers; DAF reduced stuttering 33% and FAF reduced stuttering 31% in eleven adult male stutterers. Stuttering (left scale) while reading five text passages (bottom scale), in women. About 17% of words were stuttered without the device (NAF). Stuttered words with DAF or FAF varied between 2% and 8%.
* Binaural (two ears) DAF reduced stuttering in all eight stutterers; FAF reduced stuttering in four of eight stutterers.

### Effects on Parkinson's Disease

* 1/2-octave FAF upshift improved intelligibility and naturalness of Parkinson's patients' speech.

### Other Studies

* Effects on vocal fold activity of stutterers.
* Effects on vocal fold activity of non-stutterers.

### References

* ^ Van Borsel, J., Reunes, G., and Van den Bergh, N. (2003). Delayed auditory feedback in the treatment of stuttering: clients as consumers, International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 2003, Vol. 38, No. 2, 119-129.
* ^ Radford, N., Tanguma, J., Gonzalez, M., Nericcio, M.A., Newman, D. "A Case Study of Mediated Learning, Delayed Auditory Feedback, and Motor Repatterning to Reduce Stuttering," Perceptual and Motor Skills, 2005, 101, 63-71.
* ^ Hyde, L. (2003). Comparison of the SpeechEasy and Casa Futura/Jabra fluency devices, presentation to the Canadian Association of Persons who Stutter conference, August 2003.
* ^ Brenaut, L., Morrison, S., Kalinowski, J., Armson, J., Stuart, A. (1995). "Effect of Altered Auditory Feedback on Stuttering During Telephone Use." Poster session, American Speech-Language Hearing Association convention, from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, 1995.
* ^ Zimmerman, S., Kalinowski, J., Stuart, A., Rastatter, M. (1997). "Effect of Altered Auditory Feedback on People Who Stutter During Scripted Telephone Conversations." Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, Vol. 40, 1130-1134, October 1997.
* ^ Grosser, J., Natke, U., Langefeld, S., & Kalveram, K. Th. (2001) Reduction in stuttering by delayed and frequency shifted auditory feedback: Effects of adaptation and sex differences. In H. G. Bosshardt, J. S. Yaruss & H. F. M. Peters (Eds.), Fluency Disorders: Theory, Research, Treatment and Self-help. Proceedings of the Third World Congress of Fluency Disorders in Nyborg, Denmark. Nijmegen: Nijmegen University Press, 422-426. Abstract, Full version (PDF, 27 kb).
* ^ Natke, U. (2000) Stotterreduktion unter verzögerter und frequenzverschobener auditiver Rückmeldung/Reduction of stuttering frequency using frequency-shifted and delayed auditory feedback. Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica, 52 (4), 151-159. Abstract, Full version (PDF, 578 kb).
* ^ Lowit, A., Brendel, B. The response of patients with Parkinson's Disease to DAF and FSF. ">Stammering Research, vol. 1, no. 1 (April 2004), pages 58-61.
* ^ Langefeld, S., Natke, U., Donath, Th., & Kalveram, K. Th. (2001) Influence of public speaking on the control of vowel duration in stuttering and nonstuttering adults - preliminary results. In H. G. Bosshardt, J. S. Yaruss & H. F. M. Peters (Eds.), Fluency Disorders: Theory, Research, Treatment and Self-help. Proceedings of the Third World Congress of Fluency Disorders in Nyborg, Denmark. Nijmegen: Nijmegen University Press, 574-577. Abstract,Full version (PDF, 26 kb).
* ^ Natke, U., & Kalveram, K.Th. (2001) Fundamental frequency and vowel duration under frequency shifted auditory feedback in stuttering and nonstuttering adults. In H.-G. Bosshardt, J. S. Yaruss & H. F. M. Peters (Eds.), Fluency Disorders: Theory, Research, Treatment and Self-help. Proceedings of the Third World Congress of Fluency Disorders in Nyborg, Denmark. Nijmegen: Nijmegen University Press, 66-71. Abstract, Full version (PDF, 67 kb).
* ^ Natke, U., Grosser, J., & Kalveram, K.Th. (2001) Fluency, fundamental frequency, and speech rate under frequency shifted auditory feedback in stuttering and nonstuttering persons. Journal of Fluency Disorders, 26, 227-241. Abstract, Full version (PDF, 682 kb).
* ^ Natke, U. (2000a) Effekte unter modifizierter auditiver Rückmeldung: Sprechflüssigkeit, Phonationsdauer und Grundfrequenz bei stotternden und nichtstotternden Personen. In G. Lotzmann (Ed.), Selbstwahrnehmung und Fremdwahrnehmung bei Sprach-, Sprech-, Stimm- und Hörstörungen. Würzburg: Edition Bentheim, 166-176. Abstract.
* ^ Natke, U. (1999b) Die Kontrolle der Phonationsdauer bei stotternden und nichtstotternden Personen: Einfluss der Rückmeldelautstärke und Adaptation/The control of phonation duration in stuttering and nonstuttering people: Influence of feedback loudness and adaptation. Sprache - Stimme - Gehör, 23, 198-205. Abstract, Full version (PDF, 660 kb).
* ^ Natke, U., Donath, Th.M., & Kalveram, K.Th. (2003) Control of voice fundamental frequency in speaking versus singing. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 113(3), 1587-1593. Abstract, Full version (PDF, 274 kb).
* ^ Donath, Th., Natke, U., Kalveram, K.Th. (2002) Effects of frequency-shifted auditory feedback on voice F0 contours in syllables. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 111(1), 357-366. Abstract, Full version (PDF, 260 kb).
* ^ Donath, Th., Natke, U., & Kalveram, K.Th. (2001) Magnitude and latency of fundamental frequency response within syllables under frequency shifted auditory feedback and public speaking. In B. Maassen, W. Hulstijn, R. D. Kent & P. H. H. M. Van Lieshout (Eds.), Speech Motor Control in Normal and Disordered Speech. Proceedings 4th International Speech Motor Conference. Nijmegen, The Netherlands: Uitgeverij Vantilt, 61-64. Abstract, Full version (PDF, 78 kb).
* ^ Natke, U., & Kalveram, K.Th. (2001b) Effects of frequency shifted auditory feedback on fundamental frequency in long stressed and unstressed syllables. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 44, 577-584. Abstract, Full version (PDF, 60 kb).

## Personal Experiences Using Casa Futura Technologies Devices

Please read Speech-Language Pathology/Stuttering/How to Participate in this Wikibook before adding material to this section.
* Testimonials webpage on Casa Futura Technologies website