The present disclosure relates to a fluency aid comprising: a pacing signal generator operable to output a signal for generating, at regular time intervals, an audible sound; and a controller operable, in response to a voice being detected by a voice detector, to control the pacing signal generator such that the output signal causes the audible sound to continue, stop or fade.

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 vocal dosimeter receives a first set of sensor data as sensor outputs through a sensor array including an acoustic sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, and an accelerometer. The dosimeter generates normalized sensor waveforms by filtering for an amplitude range from the quadratic mean of each individual raw sensor waveform through control of a first band-pass filter, and operates laryngeal activity detection to configure a vocalization filter with a vocalization threshold within a vocalization analysis window. A feedback control is generated in response to identifying a statistically similar vocalization amplitude in a vocal characteristic database.

A vocal dosimeter receives a first set of sensor data as sensor outputs through a sensor array including an acoustic sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, and an accelerometer. The dosimeter generates normalized sensor waveforms by filtering for an amplitude range from the quadratic mean of each individual raw sensor waveform through control of a first band-pass filter, and operates laryngeal activity detection to configure a vocalization filter with a vocalization threshold within a vocalization analysis window. A feedback control is generated in response to identifying a statistically similar vocalization amplitude in a vocal characteristic database.

Dental appliances for preventing lisping. An aligner body is configured to apply orthodontic force to a patient's teeth within a dentition-receiving cavity to gradually align the patient's teeth. The dentition-receiving cavity includes a posterior teeth region having lateral walls configured to receive the patient's posterior teeth. The posterior teeth region includes occlusal cut-outs that are configured to expose occlusal surfaces of at least a portion of the patient's posterior teeth. The occlusal cut-outs allow opposing occlusal surfaces of the patient's posterior teeth to come close enough to touch each other while the device is worn over the dental arch of the patient to form an anterior seal between the patient's tongue and inner surfaces of the patient's anterior teeth in a manner as to minimize any temporary anterior bite opening, preventing lisping while the device is worn over the dental arch.

Dental appliances for preventing lisping. An aligner body is configured to apply orthodontic force to a patient's teeth within a dentition-receiving cavity to gradually align the patient's teeth. The dentition-receiving cavity includes a posterior teeth region having lateral walls configured to receive the patient's posterior teeth. The posterior teeth region includes occlusal cut-outs that are configured to expose occlusal surfaces of at least a portion of the patient's posterior teeth. The occlusal cut-outs allow opposing occlusal surfaces of the patient's posterior teeth to come close enough to touch each other while the device is worn over the dental arch of the patient to form an anterior seal between the patient's tongue and inner surfaces of the patient's anterior teeth in a manner as to minimize any temporary anterior bite opening, preventing lisping while the device is worn over the dental arch.

A dorsal night splint has dynamic adjustable features that allow the patient to adjust the splint while in use to control the stretching of the plantar fascia and Achilles. A semi-rigid flexible frame is included along with a tightening strap that is anchored to the frame and by which the patient can tension the strap and adjust the structure of the frame to fit the patient's desired therapeutic or prophylactic needs.

A dorsal night splint has dynamic adjustable features that allow the patient to adjust the splint while in use to control the stretching of the plantar fascia and Achilles. A semi-rigid flexible frame is included along with a tightening strap that is anchored to the frame and by which the patient can tension the strap and adjust the structure of the frame to fit the patient's desired therapeutic or prophylactic needs.

Methods of orthodontic treatment that include preventing lisping. The methods may include positioning an occlusal portion of an orthodontic device over a patient's dental arch. The orthodontic device includes a barrier portion that is positioned adjacent to the occlusal portion and extends vertically beyond the occlusal portion and away from the patient's teeth such that it provides a sealing surface for the patient's tongue during speaking.