A device (10) having a body (12) formed from as a one-piece single unit having a first tray portion (16) for receiving the upper dental arch of the oral cavity of the wearer and a second tray portion (14) for receiving the lower dental arch of the oral cavity of the wearer. Integrally formed therewith and connecting the two tray portions are two connecting portions (18), (20) which are flexible and the two tray sections are of a design or material or combination of design and material selected to achieve retention of the trays on the teeth of a user.

A collection of therapies that are useful in a speech pathology setting, the common denominator of the therapies is that they each make use of chewing gum. Chewing gum administered to a patient can be used to treat swallowing disorders and oral motor impairments. In a major aspect of the invention, a series or kit of chewing gums of varying hardness can be used to treat mastication disorders. The gum exercise program will use the varying gum hardnesses as exercises for the muscles of the mouth, mastication, oral motor, sensory/stimulation, and swallowing therapeutic interventions. The instant therapies are more functional than existing dysphagia and oral motor interventions because they are similar to masticating real food by eliciting saliva production and taste buds from the gustatory response of the lemon and sour flavors. In addition, for sensory/stimulation exercises, the varying degrees of gum hardness, along with the lemon and other flavors, provide sensory feedback.

A collection of therapies that are useful in a speech pathology setting, the common denominator of the therapies is that they each make use of chewing gum. Chewing gum administered to a patient can be used to treat swallowing disorders and oral motor impairments. In a major aspect of the invention, a series or kit of chewing gums of varying hardness can be used to treat mastication disorders. The gum exercise program will use the varying gum hardnesses as exercises for the muscles of the mouth, mastication, oral motor, sensory/stimulation, and swallowing therapeutic interventions. The instant therapies are more functional than existing dysphagia and oral motor interventions because they are similar to masticating real food by eliciting saliva production and taste buds from the gustatory response of the lemon and sour flavors. In addition, for sensory/stimulation exercises, the varying degrees of gum hardness, along with the lemon and other flavors, provide sensory feedback.

A slip-resistant patch for a tongue bulb employs a planar body configured to conform to a surface of the tongue bulb. The planar body has a first major surface and an opposing second major surface. The first major surface is textured and the second major surface is adhesive. The textured material is configured to be positioned on a surface of an oral cavity and maintain position on the surface of the oral cavity throughout lingual movement within the oral cavity. The adhesive material is of a pressure sensitive material and being configured to adhere to the surface of the tongue bulb. At least one tether extends from the planar body along the perimeter portion. The at least one tether is configured to be wrapped around a stem of the tongue bulb for securing the slip-resistant patch to the tongue bulb.

A slip-resistant patch for a tongue bulb employs a planar body configured to conform to a surface of the tongue bulb. The planar body has a first major surface and an opposing second major surface. The first major surface is textured and the second major surface is adhesive. The textured material is configured to be positioned on a surface of an oral cavity and maintain position on the surface of the oral cavity throughout lingual movement within the oral cavity. The adhesive material is of a pressure sensitive material and being configured to adhere to the surface of the tongue bulb. At least one tether extends from the planar body along the perimeter portion. The at least one tether is configured to be wrapped around a stem of the tongue bulb for securing the slip-resistant patch to the tongue bulb.

According to one or more examples of the present disclosure there is provided a fluency aid comprising: an altered auditory feedback, AAF, generator operable to receive an input signal derived from speech of a user and to apply a predefined variation to the input signal in order to generate a feedback signal for providing altered auditory feedback to the user, wherein the AAF generator is further operable to automatically change a property of the variation that is applied to the input signal.

According to one or more examples of the present disclosure there is provided a fluency aid comprising: an altered auditory feedback, AAF, generator operable to receive an input signal derived from speech of a user and to apply a predefined variation to the input signal in order to generate a feedback signal for providing altered auditory feedback to the user, wherein the AAF generator is further operable to automatically change a property of the variation that is applied to the input signal.

A mouth appliance to promote nasal breathing and reduce or eliminate snoring and to help improve breathing during exercise. The mouth appliance includes upper and lower pieces that are hinged in the rear and conformed to fit the mouth and teeth of a wearer. The upper and lower mouth pieces come together to create a seal and promote nasal breathing. The frame of the mouth appliance may be formed from a hard or semi-hard material, and may be form-fitted to the mouth of a wearer to ensure both comfortable and effective use. The upper and lower pieces include a latching mechanism that allows for the mouth to be opened, closed, or semi-opened during wear and use of the appliance, and also allows for talking and drinking without removing the mouth appliance. The mouth piece can be worn at any time and provide protection of the teeth.

A mouth appliance to promote nasal breathing and reduce or eliminate snoring and to help improve breathing during exercise. The mouth appliance includes upper and lower pieces that are hinged in the rear and conformed to fit the mouth and teeth of a wearer. The upper and lower mouth pieces come together to create a seal and promote nasal breathing. The frame of the mouth appliance may be formed from a hard or semi-hard material, and may be form-fitted to the mouth of a wearer to ensure both comfortable and effective use. The upper and lower pieces include a latching mechanism that allows for the mouth to be opened, closed, or semi-opened during wear and use of the appliance, and also allows for talking and drinking without removing the mouth appliance. The mouth piece can be worn at any time and provide protection of the teeth.

An apparatus for mandibular advancement of an oral appliance for use in the treatment of sleep apnea, snoring, and other conditions. The apparatus for mandibular advancement of an oral appliance generally includes a first appliance portion comprising a gear assembly having a drive gear, wherein rotation of the drive gear linearly displaces links. The appliance also has a second appliance portion with a link-engaging members, wherein the links exert a force on the link-engaging members when they are linearly displaced, and wherein the force causes the second appliance portion to be displaced relative to the first appliance portion.