Auditory feedback is something I have always used in my speech sessions. I often record a student during their session so they can go back and listen to their own productions (some of my favorite apps have a recording feature!) But one of my favorite tools to use was always a whisper phone. You know, those pvc phones or Toobaloos that students can use to hear their own speech. The idea behind these tools is that a child's speech will be enhanced when they can hear their own speech. Once a child can discriminate if their own productions are correct, their speech can greatly improve.
Recently I learned about a product called Forbrain. Forbrain is an auditory feedback headset that uses bone conduction to transmit the user's own voice with greater clarity than air conduction (like when using a whisper phone). The instant feedback encourages the student to make changes in their speech sound productions (voicing, placement, manner, etc.) When the student can clearly hear their own productions, they are more likely to discriminate right vs wrong productions in their own speech.
The suggested use of this product is 15 minutes a day for 6-10 weeks. Of course, I don't see my students every day, so I am not able to follow this protocol exactly. But I do use it for the bulk of our therapy sessions, 2-3 times a week for each student. In my therapy sessions, I usually do an auditory bombardment activity for the first few minutes before we dive into the student’s productions. I have them put the headset on as they practice their target speech skills. We have constant dialogue throughout the session as the child and I both discuss what they’re hearing and how they feel their speech sounds are being produced. I have been loving the results I am getting in my own therapy sessions. The kids are really responding to it and becoming more aware of their own speech.
My students love using this! They don’t want to take it off when the session ends because they really do look super cool wearing the headset. Even my own children have been enjoying Forbrain. Kenzie loves putting it on and singing or reading. She says she feels like a rock star!
There has been a lot of research done on Forbrain with more than just speech students- stroke patients, stuttering, auditory processing, memory, reading, and comprehension. You can check out all the studies, here.
If you are interested in purchasing your own Forbrain headset, use this link to get 10% off your order!
If you are interested in purchasing your own Forbrain headset, use this link to get 10% off your order!
This post was sponsored by FORBRAIN. While they did provide me with a headset in exchange for a review, all opinions expressed in this blog post are my own.
Photo credit: Erika Johnson Photography
