Pseudoscience and the SpeechEasy: Reply to Kalinowski, Saltuklaroglu, Stuart, and Guntupalli (2007)

Abstract

Purpose To respond to several of the issues raised in J. Kalinowski, T. Saltuklaroglu, A. Stuart, and V. K. Guntupalli’s (2007) critique of our previous article (P. Finn, A. K. Bothe, & R. E. Bramlett, 2005). Method Information is provided to refute criticisms raised by Kalinowski et al. about the Finn et al. article, including with respect to that report’s methodology, previous research about fluency-inducing conditions in stuttering, and the SpeechEasy device. Conclusions Available data show that delayed auditory feedback, frequency-altered feedback, masking, and chorus reading can result in reduced stuttering for some speakers, and the inconsistencies and variability in available reports suggest that further careful and creative research could be very valuable. Neither the information about the SpeechEasy provided by its developers, however, nor the manner in which that information has been presented and discussed by its developers rises to the standards of a science-based clinical service discipline.