School DAF — $295

School DAF

Read consumer reviews and clinical trials now.

Simple, easy-to-use DAF device for treating childhood stuttering. For sale only to speech-language pathologists, schools, other institutions, and parents of children who stutter with a letter from the child’s speech-language pathologist. Not sold to individual consumers without an order from a speech-language pathologist.

Altered Auditory Feedback (AAF) Features

The School DAF provides one type of altered auditory feedback (AAF).

• Delayed auditory feedback (DAF) immediately reduces stuttering about 70% at normal speaking rates without training, mental effort, or abnormal-sounding or abnormally slow speech. The device trains 55% carryover fluency (after removing the device), without speech therapy. With speech therapy, DAF can induce a slower speaking rate with stretched vowels to make even severe stutterers nearly 100% fluent.

Headsets and Earsets

The School DAF works with all standard headphones and microphones. One headset is provided:

• The Logitech H110 full-size headset gives you the best sound quality and maximizes the SmallTalk’s effectiveness. By using the full-size headset on telephone calls, in speech therapy, and in stressful conversations such as public speaking, you’ll maximize carryover fluency and not need to use the device for lower-stress conversations. The full-size headset also allows listeners to try your SmallTalk to hear what it sounds like. Then they’ll want to talk to you about stuttering and you’ll discover that there’s no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed about your speech.

Background Noise Rejection

The Logitech H110 headset has a noise-canceling microphone to eliminate noise at the source. Electronic circuits filter high-frequency noise above your vocal range.

Evidence and Clinical Trials

Two clinical studies have been done using School DAF devices:

• Nine severe adult stutterers used School DAF devices for an average of thirty minutes per day (ten minutes reading aloud, ten minutes conversation with family member, ten minute telephone call). They received no speech therapy. After three months their stuttering had diminished 55% (when speaking without the devices).[ref]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.[/ref]
• A single-subject study with an eleven-year-old boy found that fourteen hours of structured therapy with mediated learning and a School DAF device reduced stuttering from 9% dysfluencies to 4.8% dysfluencies (when speaking without the device). One year later his stuttering was still 4.8% dysfluencies (47% reduction in stuttering). Another fourteen hours of similar treatment reduced his stuttering to 4.1% dysfluencies (55% reduction in stuttering).[ref]Radford, N., Tanguma, J., Gonzalez, M., Nericcio, M.A., Newman, D. (2005) “A Case Study of Mediated Learning, Delayed Auditory Feedback, and Motor Repatterning to Reduce Stuttering,” Perceptual and Motor Skills, 2005, 101, 63-71.[/ref]

Technical Specifications

• DAF range 30 milliseconds to 200 milliseconds. User-adjustable.
• Binaural (two ear) or monaural (one ear) sound. Binaural sound is 25% more effective than monaural sound and is recommended for severe stutterers; mild stutterers may be able to use monaural sound.
• 35-7500 Hz frequency range clearly reproduces all vocal frequencies of adults and children.
• 9-volt battery last about 30 hours. AC adapter (included) doesn’t charge the battery.
• Beige case, with belt clip.
• Two 3.5mm jacks for any standard microphone and headphones. One 2.5mm jack for any standard cellphone earset.
• 4.5″ x 2.7″ x 0.9″ (11.5 cm x 7 cm x 2 cm); about the size of an iPod.
• 4.1 ounces (118 grams).

What’s in the Box

• School DAF
• Logitech H110 binaural (two ears) lightweight headset
• Alcohol prep pads for cleaning the microphone between children. Also to prevent the spread of diseases we have optional washable headphone covers ($2/pair).
• AC adapter (doesn’t charge battery). Tell us if you need 220-volt European, British, or Australian plugs.

Webpage last updated: September 27, 2019

School DAF Reviews