EDINBURGH MASKER

Typical Number in Hospital: 2

Cost Bands: 2

References:

Stammering is sometimes exacerbated by the normal mechanism of being able to hear one's own voice. Normal speech production is sometimes achieved if the patient is prevented from hearing his own voice while talking. The Edinburgh masker is designed to do this by a noise being presented to the patient's ears as soon as a microphone (usually in contact with the throat) picks up the sound of the patient's voice. These devices are meant to be worn by patients whenever necessary (rather like hearing aids). They are normally issued on the advice of a speech therapist. A bench model is also available with facility to vary the volume, frequency and characteristics of the masking noise.