School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
Int J Lang Commun Disord. 2021 May;56(3):583-593. doi: 10.1111/1460-6984.12615. Epub 2021 Mar 27.
Successful communication is vital to quality of life. One group commonly facing speech and communication difficulties is individuals with intellectual disability (ID). A novel route to encourage clear speech is offered by mainstream smart speakers (e.g., Amazon Alexa and Google Home). Smart speakers offer four factors important for learning: reward immediacy, spaced practice, autonomy/intrinsic motivation and reduced social barriers. Yet the potential of smart speakers to improve speech intelligibility has not been explored before.
To determine whether providing individuals with intellectual disabilities with smart speaker devices improved ratings of speech intelligibility for (1) phrases related to device use and (2) unrelated words via a semi-randomized controlled trial.
METHODS & PROCEDURES: In a semi-randomized controlled trial, an intervention group of adults with ID (N = 21) received smart speakers, while a control group (N = 22) did not. Before and after about 12 weeks, participants were recorded saying smart speaker-related phrases and unrelated words. Naïve participants then rated the intelligibility of the speech recordings.
OUTCOMES & RESULTS: The group that received smart speakers made significantly larger intelligibility gains than the control group. Although the effect size was modest, this difference was found for both smart speaker-related phrases and unrelated words.
CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: While the mechanism of action remains to be determined, the presence of smart speakers in the home had a demonstrable impact on ratings of speech intelligibility, and could provide cost-effective inclusive support for speech and communication improvement, improving the quality of life of vulnerable populations. What this paper adds What is already known on the subject Speech intelligibility is a key obstacle for social relationships and quality of life across several vulnerable populations (children with speech difficulties, older adults with dementia, individuals with ID). Anecdotal reports suggest mainstream smart speakers (e.g., Amazon Alexa, Google Home), could improve speech intelligibility. What this paper adds to existing knowledge We used a semi-randomized controlled trial to show that using a smart speaker for about 12 weeks could improve ratings of speech intelligibility in adults with ID for both smart speaker-related phrases and unrelated words. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? These initial findings suggest that smart speaker technology could be a novel, and inclusive, route to improving speech intelligibility in vulnerable populations.
成功的沟通对于生活质量至关重要。一组常见的面临言语和沟通困难的人群是智障人士（ID）。主流智能扬声器（例如，Amazon Alexa 和 Google Home）为鼓励清晰的言语提供了一种新途径。智能扬声器提供了学习的四个重要因素：奖励即时性、间隔练习、自主性/内在动机和减少社交障碍。然而，智能扬声器提高言语清晰度的潜力尚未得到探索。
通过半随机对照试验，确定为智障成年人提供智能扬声器设备是否会提高（1）与设备使用相关的短语和（2）不相关的单词的言语清晰度评分。
在半随机对照试验中，一组智障成年人（N=21）接受了智能扬声器，而对照组（N=22）没有。在大约 12 周前后，参与者被记录下说出与智能扬声器相关的短语和不相关的单词。然后，不知情的参与者对言语录音的可理解度进行评分。
接受智能扬声器的组比对照组的可理解度提高幅度更大。尽管效果大小适中，但这种差异在与智能扬声器相关的短语和不相关的单词中都存在。
虽然作用机制仍有待确定，但家中有智能扬声器对言语清晰度的评分有明显影响，并且可以为言语和沟通改善提供具有成本效益的包容性支持，从而提高弱势群体的生活质量。
言语清晰度是几个弱势群体（言语困难的儿童、痴呆症的老年人、智障人士）的社交关系和生活质量的关键障碍。传闻表明，主流智能扬声器（例如，Amazon Alexa、Google Home）可以提高言语清晰度。
我们使用半随机对照试验表明，使用智能扬声器大约 12 周可以提高智障成年人对与智能扬声器相关的短语和不相关单词的言语清晰度评分。
这些初步发现表明，智能扬声器技术可能是一种新颖的、包容性的方法，可以提高弱势群体的言语清晰度。
