Mindfulness Training in Stuttering Therapy: A Tutorial for Speech-Language Pathologists

The use of mindfulness training for increasing psychological well-being in a variety of clinical and nonclinical populations has exploded over the last decade. In the area of stuttering, it has been widely recognized that effective long term management often necessitates treatment of cognitive and affective dimensions of the disorder in addition to behavioral components. Yet, mindfulness based strategies and their possible usefulness in stuttering management have not been described in detail in the literature. This article seeks to engage professionals who treat stuttering in a conversation about the possible usefulness of incorporating mindfulness training into stuttering management. A review of the literature reveals that there is a substantial overlap between what is required for effective stuttering management and the benefits provided by mindfulness practices. Mindfulness practice results in decreased avoidance, increased emotional regulation, and acceptance in addition to improved sensory-perceptual processing and attentional regulation skills. These skills are important for successful long term stuttering management on both psychosocial and sensory-motor levels. It is concluded that the integration of mindfulness training and stuttering treatment appears practical and worthy of exploration. Mindfulness strategies adapted for people who stutter may help in the management of cognitive, affective, and behavioral challenges associated with stuttering.

from Journal of Fluency Disorders

Promoting Healthy Self-Acceptance of Hearing Loss for Students in Schools

Educational audiologists and professionals who work closely with children who have hearing loss are in a unique position to help facilitate positive acceptance of hearing loss in a nonprofessional counselor’s role. To help in this role, it is important to understand how families and children with hearing loss cope with the hearing loss and how to reach the point of a healthy self-concept. Personal experiences of living with a hearing loss are discussed by the author. The importance of support groups for families and students with hearing loss and additional strategies are suggested.

from Seminars in Hearing

The effects of acceptance versus thought suppression for dealing with the intrusiveness of tinnitus

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of acceptance versus suppression of disruptions on a mental imagery task in a sample of tinnitus patients. Previous research has indicated that acceptance can be an effective strategy for dealing with unpleasant experiences such as pain and anxiety. The study used a between-group design, including 47 participants who completed a task involving mental imagery in a sound-proof booth. Participants were randomly assigned to three instruction conditions: acceptance, suppression, or a control condition. The results showed a significant difference between the acceptance group and the control group in that participants in the acceptance group were able to focus on the imagery task for a longer time without being interrupted. The study provides preliminary support for the notion that acceptance can be a helpful strategy for tinnitus patients.

from the International Journal of Audiology