AID FOR CURING OR MITIGATING STAMMERING

Abstract: By means of the invention an efficient aid is obtained at the same time as it comprises few components and is simple to use. The aid comprises two earphones (3, 4) and at least one microphone (2), which are connected with an amplifier (1) and also exhibiting a delaying unit (5), in which the signal from the amplifier (1) to one earphone (4) is delayed in relation to the signal, which is transmitted to the other earphone (3).

Description: Aid for curing or mitigating stammering The present invention relates to an aid for curing or mitigating stammering. It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an aid of the kind mentioned above, which is effective at the same time as it is simple, as it is comprised by few components and is simple to use. Said object is obtained by means of an aid according to the present invention, which is substantially characterized by two ear phones and at least one microphone being connected with an amplifier, the aid also exhibiting a delaying unit, in which the signal from the amplifier to one of the ear phones is delayed"relative to the signal, which is transmitted to the other ear phone. The invention is described in the following, reference being made to the accompanying drawing illustrating a schematic coupling diagram for the components forming . part of the aid. An amplifier 1 is by way of example via circuits connected with for one thing a microphone 2 and for another thing with two earphones 3, 4. If the aid is intended for use as a stationary device, the earphones 3, 4 can comprise connections to head phones, and if the aid is intended for permanent use, they can comprise miniature earphones of the type that can be inserted into the auditory canal. The earphones 3, 4 and the microphone 2 can also be coupled together forming a portable unit. A delaying unit 5, which is either assembled with the amplifier 1 or, ' as is shown in the wiring diagram, cut in after the output for the signal to one earphone 3, is arranged to delay the signal from the amplifier 1 to the other earphone 4 in relation to the signal, which is trans¬ mitted to the first earphone 3. This delaying unit 5 can also exhibit means of adjustment, by means of which the time delay between the two signals can be adjusted. delay of the signal to the earphone 4 relative to the earphone 3 can by way of example be adjusted from a hardly noticeable interval up to such a one of approximately one second. Two volume controls for each earphone 3 and 4 respectively are in the drawing indicated with 6 and 7 respectively, and a desired volume can by means of these volume controls be adjusted for each one of the earphones independent of each other. Also the amplifier 1 and the delay unit 5 can as to their size be designed in such a manner that the whole aid will be easy to use and bring along with one. The function of the aid described above wil now be described more in detail. Depending upon whether th individual has his otory centre for speech in his right o in his left cerebral hemisphere, the earphones 3, 4 are pu on- in such a manner that a right-handed person gets the earphone 4, which id designed to transmit a delayed signal coupled to his left ear and the reverse for a left-handed person. The speech of the user himself as well as the speech of other people and other sound is recorded by the microphone.2 and is transmitted to the amplifier 1. The recorded sound signal is transmitted to the right ear of the right-handed person by means of the earphone 3, which has no delay possibility, so that the information substan- tially is transmitted to said ear without delay, when the sound signal, which is transmitted to the earphone 4 of th left ear, is delayed, as this signal first passes through the delaying unit 5. The sound level is subsequently adjusted by means of the sound level controls 6, 7, of which the one - indicated with 6 belongs to the earphone 3, the other one belonging to the earphone 4, in which connection one has t see to it that the sound level or the earphone 4 provided with a delaying possibility is suitably somewha higher than the sound level for the earphone 3. By means of the adjusting device for the delaying unit 5, a suitable t__ ~ _ ~ __~ delay is thereafter adjusted for the earphone 4 in relation to the earphone 3. In cases of severe stammering a longer- time delay is adjusted than when there is only a slight stammering. When the aid is in use, one cerebral hemi¬ sphere does not have time to transmit and disturb the thoughts and information to the vocal chords etc. of the first mentioned cerebral hemisphere, whereby a stammering is avoided or minimized. As already mentioned the earphones are for a left-handed person connected in the reverse order, the same result with respect to the stammering being obtained. The aid is intended to be used either as a stationary instrument or as a permanent device to be brought along by the user depending upon age and intensity ;θf the stammering. The invention is not limited to the example of embodiment described above and illustrated in the drawing, but can be varied within the scope of the following claims. OMPΓ Λ- WIp o ~ _Λ

Claims: C l a i m s 1. Aid for curing or mitigating stammering, c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y two earphones (3, 4) and a least one microphone (2) being connected with an amplifier (1) , and also exhibiting a delaying unit (5) , in which the signal from the amplifier (1) to one earphone (4) is delayed in relation to the signal, which is transmitted to the other earphone (3) . 2. Aid according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e¬ r i z e d b y the earphones (3, 4} and the microphone (2 being coupled together in order to form a portable unit. 3. Aid according to anyone of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d " b y the' earphones comprising miniature earphones, which can be ^ inserted into the auditory canal. 4. Aid according to anyone of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y the delaying unit (5) exhibiting an adjusting device, by means of which the time delay between the signals is adjusted. 5. • Aid according to anyone of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y the delaying unit (5) being assembled together with the amplifier (1) in order to form a preferably portable unit. 6. Aid according to anyone of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y the two earphones (3, 4) exhibiting controls (6 and 7 respectively) for individual adjustment of the volume for the respective earphone (3, 4) .

Inventors: ALMSLAETT I, PARLENVI P
Applicants: ALMSLAETT I, PARLENVI P
Application year: 1981
Main classification: A61F5
IPC codes: A61F5