The world is evolving in incredible and exciting ways, especially where technology is concerned. Apart from providing new sources of entertainment and improved access to amazing new technological resources, innovations in tech are also changing the way humans interact with the world.
One particularly compelling way that technology is helping people in our quickly advancing age is in the realm of speech. For those with speech impediments and language disorders, taking advantage of this technology can be potentially life changing. This being the case, staying up-to-date on some of the most useful technology in this space can be beneficial for anyone interested in improving their speech.
Here is technology to help with speech impediments and language disorders.
Assistive Listening Devices
While most people are familiar with hearing aids, not everyone is aware that these devices can have specific uses other than increasing the volume of sounds. For some users, typically those with language disorders, assistive listening devices can help increase the clarity of some sounds while blocking out other distracting sounds.
For individuals with language disorders such as receptive language disorder, in which one has trouble comprehending language, assistive listening devices can be an enormous help. This is because these devices can help users focus more on the words being spoken so they can put all of their energy into receiving sounds instead of blocking out other distractions.
In some cases, individuals who develop hearing loss also develop speech impediments as a byproduct of their disability. For these individuals, there are some assistive listening devices that will play their own speech back to them, thereby allowing them to improve their pronunciation and articulation when necessary.
Digital Touch Screens
When it comes to speech impediments, the severity of cases can range widely. Though many people may have a noticeable speech impediment, they are able to communicate relatively easily with others. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for everyone, and communicating simple ideas can sometimes be excruciatingly difficult for individuals with severe speech impediments.
In these cases, digital touch screens can be an incredibly useful communication tool that helps streamline the communication process. Essentially, these tools have a screen displaying either different words or pictures for phrases or items that are frequently used. When individuals with speech impediments need to communicate quickly but can’t do so with speech, these devices can help improve their ability to communicate effectively and without overly exerting themselves.
Speech Games and Apps
In recent years, a proliferation of mobile and computer app games has made these forms of recreation more popular among people of all ages. In response to this, many parents and educators have encouraged kids and teens to utilize the apps for educational purposes to learn a variety of facts, subjects, and skills.
When it comes to speech, the case is no different, and new gaming apps have made practicing speech fun for those with speech impediments. These apps allow people of all ages to practice pronouncing and articulating different sounds and often allow users to track their progress as well. Though these can be popular for adults, these are especially useful for providing children with speech impediments motivation to practice speaking articulately.
Text-to-Speech Apps
Similar to digital touch screens, text-to-speech apps allow individuals with significant speech impediments or disorders to communicate more easily with others. Today, these apps are available on phones, tablets, and computers making them easily accessible to just about anyone who needs them.
For students with speech impediments, these apps can make it easier and less embarrassing to give presentations. For others, these apps can make it much easier and less taxing to communicate with others throughout the day, such as at stores. In addition, those who didn’t receive the resources they needed when they were younger can utilize text-to-speech apps to engage in continuing education and other similar pursuits.
AI Technology for Screening
Many people who have speech impediments and language disorders aren’t diagnosed as children but rather as teens or adults. This is disheartening because it becomes much more difficult to treat these ailments the older people get.
Fortunately, AI has presented itself as an effective and accessible solution to this problem. Rather than undergoing a laborious process, children can be diagnosed via their data that AI can analyze with that of countless other children. In this way, AI can ensure that more children are being diagnosed and can receive the early care that they need to thrive.
Technology is Improving the Lives of Those with Language Disorders and Speech Impediments
Technology helps individuals with speech impediments and disorders improve their speech, understand others better, and communicate more effectively. Different technologies help in different ways, with each individual benefiting from different combinations of technology. As time goes on and technology continues to evolve and become more robust, it’s more than likely that new innovations will further improve the lives of people living with speech impediments and disorders.
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