Speech disorders are a common issue, affecting millions of adults in the United States. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, approximately 17.9 million US adults reported experiencing problems with their voice in the past year. Access to specialized resources, such as speech pathologists, is crucial in helping individuals overcome speech impediments and improve their overall quality of life.
One online provider, Better Speech, is dedicated to increasing accessibility to speech therapy for both children and adults. Their services include treating speech delays, voice disorders, aphasia, stuttering, and more, all from the comfort of one’s own home. In an effort to further enhance accessibility and reduce costs, Better Speech is introducing Jessica, a generative AI-powered Speech Therapist.
Jessica will utilize AI algorithms to create personalized therapy sessions tailored to each client’s specific needs. The AI speech assistant will possess advanced speech recognition and natural language processing abilities, enabling it to assess speech patterns, identify areas for improvement, and deliver targeted interventions. Better Speech believes that this revolutionary technology will transform the lives of millions by making high-quality speech therapy accessible and convenient for those who cannot afford traditional therapy.
Ranan Lachman, CEO of Better Speech, stated, “This revolutionary technology should transform the lives of millions by making high-quality speech therapy accessible and convenient to many people who currently can’t afford speech therapy.” To ensure that more individuals have access to this technology, Better Speech is collaborating with the American Speech and Hearing Association to create Category III medical insurance codes.
In addition to their efforts to increase accessibility, Better Speech is also committed to helping those in underdeveloped countries. The company plans to donate Jessica to 1,000 children who would otherwise not have access to speech therapy. As an AI model, Jessica will continue to advance and improve as it interacts with more patients, learning and becoming more intelligent with each interaction.
Despite the impressive capabilities of Jessica, Lachman emphasizes that the AI tool is not intended to replace human therapists. He states, “Our software is designed to augment our service and serve as a practicing tool, not to replace our speech therapists. We have no doubt that, soon, Jessica will become the best speech therapist in the world, being trained on tens of thousands of patients, from children to seniors, and would be able to assist with most speech impediments.”
The introduction of Jessica demonstrates the potential of artificial intelligence in the field of speech therapy. By leveraging AI algorithms and advanced speech recognition capabilities, Better Speech aims to provide accessible and effective therapy to individuals in need. As technology continues to advance, it is likely that AI-powered tools like Jessica will play an increasingly significant role in improving speech disorders and enhancing the lives of those affected.
