Abstract
Using stretch sensors, a stuttering treatment training device that improve the abnormal breathing of stutterer was designed and developed. To improve stutterer's inadequate breathing method that is one of principal reason of stammering, the device estimates breathing method by checking the changes of the stretch sensor's resistances those are put on the chest and abdomen of user. And a vocal exercise program that carry out exercises only when the user maintains the abdominal breathing was designed. Using a PIC16C711 device that includes an A/D convertor, a main controller was designed and the vocal exercises software was developed using Director and C program with graphic user interface for user convenience. The controller sends the resistance data of sensors to PC through the serial port and the software verifies the breathing method. And the device was designed that the RTS (request to send) pin of serial port in PC is used as a power source so that it can work without any battery or other power source. Three stutterers have carried out the clinical experiments using the implemented device for two months and the results showed it was excellent to alleviate the stuttering.
