VITAL TONES RESEARCH

 

Stuttering Evaluation

 

Deep Brain Sound Stimulation (DBSS) — full 18-minute evaluation session

 

​Private research evaluation only.Please do not share this link or audio publicly. No purchase required.

 

Purpose

 

This auditory stimulation session was developed by Vital Tones for evaluation in persistent childhood-onset developmental stuttering.

 

Researchers and clinicians are invited to make their own observations regarding any immediate, progressive, or persistent changes in speech.

 

No endorsement is requested. The purpose is independent evaluation and observation.

 

 

Before listening

 

For a simple before-and-after comparison, speak or read for approximately 100 seconds before listening and count the number of clear stuttering events (such as blocks, repetitions, or prolongations).

 

Repeat the same speaking task after the session and compare the counts.

 

If possible, use the same text and speaking conditions each time.

 

 

Listening instructions

 

• Use stereo headphones.
• Make sure the left and right channels are worn correctly.
• Sit or lie down in a quiet, comfortable environment.
• Keep the volume at a comfortable listening level. Do not use high volume.
• Listen normally and remain relaxed.
• Do not consciously try to alter or force your speech while listening.

 

 

​Full Stuttering Evaluation SessionDuration: approximately 18 minutes 

  

 

 

After listening

 

Speak normally after the session and observe whether you notice any difference compared with your usual speech.

 

Areas that may be useful to observe include:

 

• frequency of blocks or repetitions
• duration or intensity of blocks
• speech initiation
• speech continuity and fluency
• effort required to speak
• speech rate
• secondary physical tension or associated movements
• subjective ease of speaking

 

If you recorded speech before listening, repeat approximately the same speaking task afterward for comparison.

 

 

Evaluation period

 

A single session can be used for an initial observation.

 

For a more meaningful evaluation, the session should preferably be listened to once daily for 14 consecutive days.

 

If you notice a clear change after any session, even on Day 1, please contact us that day rather than waiting until the end of the evaluation period.

 

The second week is intended to see whether the effect has reached its maximum or continues to improve, and to give the brain more time to stabilize the new speech pattern so the improvement is more likely to remain after listening stops.

 

After completing the 14-day period, discontinue the session and continue observing speech without stimulation. Of particular interest is whether any observed change remains approximately stable, decreases partially, continues to develop, or returns toward baseline.

 

Individual responses may differ substantially in magnitude, timing, and pattern. Stuttering itself is heterogeneous, and the present protocol should not be assumed to be fully optimized for every individual.

 

​Suggested observation points For a simple comparison, observations may be made at:Baseline → Day 1 → Day 3 → Day 7 → Day 14 → after discontinuationAdditional observations several days after the final session may help determine whether any change persists without further stimulation.

 

 

About the technology

 

Deep Brain Sound Stimulation (DBSS) is an auditory stimulation approach developed by Ugur Dogan at Vital Tones.

 

Protocol record: DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.22708300

 

 

Contact

 

Ugur Dogan

Vital Tones

[email protected]

 

 

 

Scientific evaluation material —

Vital Tones © 2026

 

Provided for research discussion and observation; not presented as established clinical evidence of efficacy.