Method and system for training voice patterns

Abstract

One example embodiment of the present disclosure includes method and system to improve communication comprising an assembly fixedly positioned during use in close proximity to a user's ear. The assembly includes an accelerometer to detect the initiation and duration of the user's speech and an output presentation system. The output presentation system comprises a non-occlusive ear fitting that presents unintelligible noise that is unrelated to the sound-frequency or intonation of the user's current speech. The unintelligible noise is presented to the patient at a level less than 85 dB. The system further comprises a control arrangement to maintain presentation of the noise substantially throughout the detected duration of the user's speech, but substantially not at other times.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A speech aid for treating speech disorders associated with Parkinson's disease, comprising: means for detecting when a user speaks; means for detecting when the user stops speaking; and means for providing noise that induces the Lombard effect to induce the user to speak louder, to one or more of the user's ears when the user speaks, and to terminate said noise when the user stops speaking. 
     
     
         38 . The speech aid of  claim 37 , wherein said noise comprises multitalker babble noise. 
     
     
         39 . The speech aid of  claim 37 , wherein said speech disorder is hypokinetic dysarthria. 
     
     
         40 . The speech aid of  claim 37 , wherein said means for detecting when a user speaks comprises an accelerometer. 
     
     
         41 . A speech aid for treating speech disorders associated with Parkinson's disease, comprising: means for detecting when a user speaks; means for detecting when the user stops speaking; means for providing noise that induces the Lombard effect to induce the user to speak louder, to one of the user's ears when the user speaks, and to switch off said noise when the user stops speaking. 
     
     
         42 . The speech aid of  claim 41 , wherein said noise comprises multitalker babble noise. 
     
     
         43 . The speech aid of  claim 41 , wherein said speech disorders include hypokinetic dysarthria. 
     
     
         44 . The speech aid of  claim 41 , including means to prevent hearing impairment. 
     
     
         45 . The speech aid of  claim 44 , wherein the means for providing noise comprises providing noise at a level less than 85 dB. 
     
     
         46 . A speech aid for treating speech disorders associated with Parkinson's disease, comprising: means for detecting when a user speaks; means for detecting when the user stops speaking; and means for providing noise that induces the Lombard effect to induce the user to speak louder, to one or more of the user's ears when the user speaks, and to switch off said noise when the user stops speaking. 
     
     
         47 . The speech aid of  claim 46 , wherein said noise comprises multitalker babble noise. 
     
     
         48 . The speech aid of  claim 46 , wherein said speech disorders include hypokinetic dysarthria. 
     
     
         49 . A speech aid for treating speech disorders associated with Parkinson's disease, comprising: means for detecting when a user speaks; means for detecting when the user stops speaking; means for providing noise that induces the Lombard effect to induce the user to speak louder when the user speaks and to switch off said noise when the user stops speaking. 
     
     
         50 . The speech aid of  claim 49 , wherein said noise is white noise, non-communicative noise, and/or random noise. 
     
     
         51 . The speech aid of  claim 49 , wherein said noise comprises multitalker babble noise. 
     
     
         52 . The speech aid of  claim 49 , wherein said speech disorders include hypokinetic dysarthria. 
     
     
         53 . A speech aid for treating speech disorders associated with Parkinson's disease, comprising: means for detecting when a user speaks; means for detecting when the user stops speaking; and means for providing noise that induces the Lombard effect to induce the user to speak louder, to the user when the user speaks, and to switch off said noise when the user stops speaking. 
     
     
         54 . The speech aid of  claim 53 , wherein said noise is white noise, non-communicative noise, and/or random noise. 
     
     
         55 . The speech aid of  claim 53 , wherein said noise comprises multitalker babble noise. 
     
     
         56 . The speech aid of  claim 53 , wherein said speech disorders include hypokinetic dysarthria.