The stuttering problem considered from an automatic control point of view

The problem of stuttering in human speech is approached in this presentation on the premise that the speech mech anism is a feedback system. A simplified version of the human speech system is developed. Stuttering is assumed to be an instability which causes the system to become un stable or block. Various instabilities in the system are con sidered and their validity in the stuttering problem checked. This is accomplished by applying to the model clinically tested techniques which decrease or stop stutter ing in people. The assumption is that if the techniques which decrease or stop stuttering in people also return the model to a stable state, or normal speech, then this model instability is a possible cause of stuttering. This leads to the conclusion that a malfunction of the middle ear, a variable gain device, is a possible cause of stuttering. Investigating the speech system from an automatic control point of view is concluded to be a valid and fruitful approach.