For some people, talking on the telephone can trigger stuttering.
Stuttering, which is sometimes referred to as stammering or disfluent speech, can be a normal part of a child's language development in ages two through seven. It becomes a problem when speech disruptions, like repeated sounds, syllables or words, continue into adolescence, especially if accompanied by rapid eye blinking, tremors of the lips or other nervous mannerisms. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), about 3 million Americans stutter, with males up to four times as likely to have the disorder as females.
Symptoms of Stuttering
The speech style most associated with stuttering is difficulty starting a sentence: repeating a sound ("wh-wh-what"), a syllable or an entire word. When a person's rate of speech is uneven, perhaps with words that are prolonged or with pauses between words, stuttering is also indicated. Some stutterers choose only simple words instead of those harder to speak, or they may be visibly trying to converse but producing no sound. Symptoms can vary significantly depending on the circumstances. Stuttering is likely to be more severe when addressing a group or talking on the telephone than when talking to a pet, singing or reading in unison.
Stuttering Causes
If a child's early stammering does not correct itself, he may be diagnosed with developmental stuttering. Doctors will probably test his hearing to rule out speech problems related to hearing loss. Having three or more of the symptoms of stuttering will lead to a developmental stuttering conclusion. Unfortunately, some children with these problems will be pressured to speak better, which can make them self-conscious and actually worsen the condition, reports the Omaha Children's Hospital. A tendency toward stuttering may run in families. Ongoing research in Pakistan, England and the United States suggests that three genes may be hereditary sources of stuttering. When adults suddenly start to stammer, it is most often linked to a brain injury, a medical episode like a stroke or severe emotional trauma.
Treatment Options
In speech therapy, a speech-language pathologist teaches the stutterer form words and speak slowly. The patient may also be taught relaxation techniques to use when stuttering begins. If the one being treated is a child, the parents will be brought into the treatment and given guidelines for interacting with the child and supporting his progress. In some cases, doctors prescribe medications, generally administered for depression and anxiety. A new treatment, still being researched (as of January 2011), is an electronic device that fits into the ear canal and replays a slightly altered version of the patient's speech, so it seems that he is speaking in unison with someone else. Self-help groups have worked for some stutterers to find support and community.
Tags: developmental stuttering, talking telephone