SpeechEasy
SpeechEasy manufactures FDA-approved anti-stuttering devices using Delayed Auditory Feedback and Frequency Altered Feedback technology. The Greenville, NC company sells four device models priced $2,500–$4,500 through a US provider network to people who stutter and Parkinson's patients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersGreenville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What SpeechEasy does
SpeechEasy, operated by Janus Development Group, Inc. from Greenville, North Carolina, designs and manufactures FDA-approved anti-stuttering devices that use Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF) and Frequency Altered Feedback (FAF), collectively termed Altered Auditory Feedback (AAF). The technology creates a "choral speech effect" in which the brain perceives a second speaker alongside the user, reducing repetitions, prolongations, and blocks at normal speaking rates. The core product line is offered in four shell styles (Comfort Fit, Completely-in-the-Canal, In-the-Canal, and Behind-the-Ear) at prices ranging from $2,500 to $4,500 per device. A separate sub-brand, SpeechEasyPD, applies the same underlying technology to address speech intelligibility issues (soft speech, rapid rate, reduced articulation) in patients with Parkinson's disease.
The company's go-to-market relies exclusively on a nationwide US network of trained SpeechEasy Providers who conduct evaluations, demonstrate devices, custom-fit shells, and program DAF/FAF/volume parameters using proprietary software; premier provider locations stock Comfort Fit devices for immediate purchase. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time device sales, with secondary revenue from provider service fees, accessories (tubes, domes, batteries, cases, dry-aid kits), and a zero-interest Pay Plan financing option that allows 12- or 24-month installments. The customer base is horizontally segmented across adults who stutter, children, military veterans (funded via the VA), individuals with neurogenic stuttering, and Parkinson's patients, with 15,000+ clients served cumulatively since 2001.
SpeechEasy has no disclosed external institutional investors, no parent company, and operates as an independent private corporation with a stated headcount of 1–10 employees. The company is currently US-only; international customers must travel to US providers. Distribution-channel partnerships with the US Veterans Administration and state Vocational Rehabilitation programs provide enterprise funding pathways that absorb a portion of device costs for eligible buyers, representing a meaningful supplement to direct consumer sales.
SpeechEasy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SpeechEasy
- Legal name
- Janus Development Group, Inc.
- Website
- https://speecheasy.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- SpeechEasy manufactures FDA-approved anti-stuttering devices using Delayed Auditory Feedback and Frequency Altered Feedback technology. The Greenville, NC company sells four device models priced $2,500–$4,500 through a US provider network to people who stutter and Parkinson's patients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SpeechEasy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Anti-Stuttering Devices
- NAICS
- Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)
- SIC
- Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fluency (Stuttering/Cluttering) Services (School-Age) (EDAKAEAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Assistive Listening & Classroom Audio (FM/DM, Soundfield) Systems (EDAKAIAE), Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription) (EDAFAKAC), Accent Reduction, Pronunciation & Fluency Coaching (EDAMAFAJ)
Keywords
Where SpeechEasy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Greenville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
SpeechEasy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Device Sales: One-time sale of SpeechEasy devices (BTE, ITC, CIC, CF models) priced between $2,500 and $4,500 depending on the model. Devices are manufactured by Janus Development Group and sold through a network of SpeechEasy Providers.
- Provider Services: SpeechEasy Providers charge separate fees for evaluation services, fitting, and follow-up care. These fees vary by provider office policy and location.
- Pay Plan Financing: SpeechEasy offers pay plans allowing 12 or 24 months to pay for devices with low down payments, no interest, no finance charges, and no application fee. This enables customers to spread costs over time.
- Accessories: Online store selling accessories including tubes/domes, batteries, cases, pens, wax cleaning brushes, dry aid kits, and SpeechEasy workbooks.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | SpeechEasy devices range from $2,500 to $4,500 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | $750 off Comfort Fit and CIC devices |
| Hybrid | Monthly | 12 or 24 month Pay Plan with low down payment |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | $250 Evaluation Rebate |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
SpeechEasy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SpeechEasy designs, manufactures, and sells small, wearable anti-stuttering devices worn in or behind the ear that use Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF) and Frequency Altered Feedback (FAF) — collectively Altered Auditory Feedback (AAF) — to emulate the choral speech effect and reduce stuttering. The product line comprises four shell models (Comfort Fit, Completely-in-Canal, In-the-Canal, Behind-the-Ear), a Parkinson's-disease-specific SpeechEasyPD variant, and supporting accessories, with devices distributed through a nationwide network of trained SpeechEasy Providers who evaluate, fit, and program each unit.
Product overview
SpeechEasy is a combination of proven technology and techniques used to reduce stuttering. The product line consists of the core SpeechEasy anti-stuttering device and SpeechEasyPD for Parkinson's patients. SpeechEasy comes in four shell styles/models: Comfort Fit (CF), Completely-in-Canal (CIC), In-the-Canal (ITC), and Behind-the-Ear (BTE). The devices use Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF) and Frequency Altered Feedback (FAF) technology to create a 'choral speech effect.' Pricing ranges from $2,500 to $4,500 depending on the model. The company also offers a Pay Plan financing option and various accessories. Currently only available in the US, with over 15,000 clients worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SpeechEasyPD: A specialized version of the SpeechEasy device designed specifically for patients with Parkinson's disease to help address speech intelligibility issues.
Products and services
- SpeechEasy Comfort Fit (CF) SpeechEasy Comfort Fit is a Behind-the-Ear style anti-stuttering device designed for maximum comfort during extended wear; it is custom-molded to fit securely and comfortably while reducing background noise for natural sound. It uses Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF) and Frequency Altered Feedback (FAF) to create the choral speech effect that reduces stuttering. Targeted at users who wear the device for long periods and value comfort and stability.
- SpeechEasy Completely-in-Canal (CIC) SpeechEasy Completely-in-Canal (CIC) is the smallest and most discreet anti-stuttering device offered by the company, fitting entirely within the ear canal for near-invisibility. It uses DAF and FAF to deliver the choral speech effect. Targeted at individuals seeking an ultra-discreet, in-canal option.
- SpeechEasy In-the-Canal (ITC) SpeechEasy In-the-Canal (ITC) fits partially in the ear canal while leaving room for comfort, combining subtlety with effectiveness. It includes accessible volume controls. Targeted at users who want a balance between discretion and ease of adjustment.
- SpeechEasy Behind-the-Ear (BTE) SpeechEasy Behind-the-Ear (BTE) is a larger-durability anti-stuttering device worn behind the ear, suited for individuals seeking a robust device or those with dexterity challenges. It uses DAF and FAF to deliver the choral speech effect.
- SpeechEasyPD SpeechEasyPD is a specialized version of the SpeechEasy device designed for patients with Parkinson's disease. It delivers Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF) and Frequency Altered Feedback (FAF) to address speech intelligibility issues, including repetitions of speech, vocal loudness, articulation issues, and increased rate of speech.
- SpeechEasy Accessories SpeechEasy accessories including tubes/domes, batteries, large and small cases, pens, wax cleaning brushes, dry aid kits, and SpeechEasy workbooks available for purchase online to maintain SpeechEasy and SpeechEasyPD devices.
Quantifiable outcome
- 70% reduction in stuttering at normal speaking rate without training, mental effort, or abnormal-sounding speech
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use SpeechEasy
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
SpeechEasy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
SpeechEasy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SpeechEasy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Demant: Demant owns Oticon and other hearing-aid brands and is a global hearing-care incumbent with a large audiologist distribution network comparable to SpeechEasy's. It represents a potential channel-rich competitor if it chose to enter the AAF anti-stuttering category.
- GN Hearing: GN Hearing (ReSound, Beltone, Jabra) is a leading hearing-aid manufacturer with a global retail audiology footprint overlapping SpeechEasy's provider model. It is comparable as a category-adjacent incumbent that could expand into fluency applications.
- WS Audiology: WS Audiology (Widex, Signia) is a major global hearing-aid group with extensive audiology retail and clinical relationships. It is relevant as a large incumbent in the ear-worn medical device space that could enter or absorb the AAF anti-stuttering category.
- Sonova: Sonova (Phonak, Unitron, Advanced Bionics) is one of the world's largest hearing-aid manufacturers and operates a global audiology provider channel that overlaps with SpeechEasy's provider network. As hearing aids become smarter, Sonova could plausibly integrate AAF functionality into a mainstream device, threatening SpeechEasy's niche.
- LSVT Global: LSVT Global is the leading provider of speech therapy for Parkinson's disease (LSVT LOUD), directly addressing the same clinical population as SpeechEasyPD but via clinician-delivered behavioral therapy rather than a device. It represents the dominant non-device alternative in the SpeechEasyPD segment.
Emerging players
- Speech Blubs: Speech Blubs is a speech therapy app focused on children and adults with speech and language challenges, addressing fluency, articulation, and communication goals. It competes for the same household speech-therapy budget with a software-only model that does not require a hardware purchase.
- Stamurai: Stamurai is a mobile app that delivers stuttering therapy exercises, including delayed auditory feedback and breathing techniques, targeting the same end user as SpeechEasy at a much lower price point and with no fitting required. It is a digitally-native competitor for the same customer wallet.
Others
- CaptionCall: CaptionCall provides captioned telephones and assistive communication devices for people with hearing loss, often funded through insurance and the VA. It is an adjacent assistive-communication hardware provider with overlapping reimbursement infrastructure (VA, audiologist network) relevant to SpeechEasy's institutional channels.
- American Institute for Stuttering: The American Institute for Stuttering is a leading nonprofit that delivers behavioral stuttering therapy and trains speech-language pathologists. It is the dominant non-device clinical channel for stuttering treatment in the US, making it the principal therapy-side alternative to SpeechEasy's device approach.
Direct peers
- Staella: Staella produces a small, in-ear anti-stuttering device that uses altered auditory feedback (DAF/FAF) to create a choral speech effect, making it the most direct product analog to SpeechEasy. It targets the same end customer (people who stutter) via a similar hearing-aid form factor and price band.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SpeechEasy social profiles
Digital presenceSpeechEasy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SpeechEasy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
SpeechEasy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SpeechEasy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SpeechEasy
What does SpeechEasy do?
SpeechEasy designs, manufactures, and sells small, wearable anti-stuttering devices worn in or behind the ear that use Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF) and Frequency Altered Feedback (FAF) — collectively Altered Auditory Feedback (AAF) — to emulate the choral speech effect and reduce stuttering. The product line comprises four shell models (Comfort Fit, Completely-in-Canal, In-the-Canal, Behind-the-Ear), a Parkinson's-disease-specific SpeechEasyPD variant, and supporting accessories, with devices distributed through a nationwide network of trained SpeechEasy Providers who evaluate, fit, and program each unit.
Is SpeechEasy a public or private company?
SpeechEasy is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was SpeechEasy founded?
SpeechEasy was founded in 2001. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is SpeechEasy based?
SpeechEasy is headquartered in Greenville, United States, in the North America region.
How does SpeechEasy make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Device Sales are the primary driver. The others are provider Services, pay Plan Financing and accessories.
Who are SpeechEasy's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Demant, GN Hearing, WS Audiology, Sonova and LSVT Global. Emerging players are Speech Blubs and Stamurai. Others are CaptionCall and American Institute for Stuttering. Staella is listed as a direct peer.
Does SpeechEasy have an API?
No public API is recorded for SpeechEasy.
What industry is SpeechEasy in?
SpeechEasy's product category is Anti-Stuttering Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKAEAG, Fluency (Stuttering/Cluttering) Services (School-Age), with a secondary code of EDAKAIAE, Assistive Listening & Classroom Audio (FM/DM, Soundfield) Systems. Its NAICS code is 621340 and its SIC code is 3841.