METHODS AND DEVICES FOR INTRAORAL TACTILE FEEDBACK

摘要

The present invention is directed to methods and devices for teaching the proper configuration of the oral articulators, particularly the tongue, corresponding to particular speech sounds by providing intraoral tactile feedback. Intraoral tactile feedback is achieved by placing nodes in the oral cavity of the patient in locations corresponding to the proper lingual position required to produce a target sound. These nodes facilitate identification of the appropriate lingual position corresponding to a target speech sound by providing tactile differentiation when the target sound is properly produced.

主权项

1. A method of teaching a person to pronounce a particular sound, which comprises:
providing at least one sound training device comprising a handle, a node support and one or more nodes for indicating proper positioning of the person's tongue for accurate pronunciation of the particular sound, with the node support configured and dimensioned (a) to provide tactile feedback to the person at its respective node location(s) on the node support with the feedback signaling proper positioning of the tongue for accurate pronunciation of the particular sound, and (b) to limit intrusiveness in the person's mouth while providing sufficient strength to support the one or more nodes; and providing the device with registration features for positioning the device in an appropriate location in the person's oral cavity such that the person's tongue is able to freely navigate to contact the one or more nodes and be positioned for making the particular sound with the location being dependent on the particular sound to made, wherein, when the tongue is so positioned, the sound training device provides tactile feedback to the person to assist in proper and accurate pronunciation of the particular sound.