Janus Development Group, of Greenville, NC, the providers of SpeechEasy portable speech fluency devices, has announced the acquisition of FluencyCoach, a desktop software which allows those who stutter to experience choral speech.

Research has shown that the use of choral speech can help to induce fluency in those who stutter. Similar to SpeechEasy, FluencyCoach utilizes Altered Auditory Feedback (AAF), by combining both Delayed Auditory Feedback and Frequency Altered Feedback, to mimic the choral speech effect.

FluencyCoach is a downloadable software application which is compatible with most home computer operating systems and allows users to manipulate and utilize the fluency-enhancing effects of choral speech at their discretion.

FluencyCoach by SpeechEasy is available, for free, to anyone who wants to use it. By offering this free software, SpeechEasy is able to introduce the fluency-enhancing effects of AAF to anyone who wants to try it. In addition, the promotion and use of FluencyCoach will help SpeechEasy increase awareness regarding the availability of viable treatment options for those who stutter. SpeechEasy will also be providing technical and clinical support from a certified speech-language pathologist, who is experienced in the use of AAF for the treatment of stuttering.

FluencyCoach represents the first company and product acquisition made by Janus Development Group. According to Alan Newton, President of Janus Development Group, "The addition of FluencyCoach to our product mix clearly strengthens our abilities to further support the stuttering community. We are excited to add a quality product such as FluencyCoach, and we look forward to continuing to add more products such as this, which reflect the quality, technology and usefulness which our SpeechEasy brand has come to represent. Janus is committed to delivering practical solutions which can aid in the treatment of stuttering."

FluencyCoach by SpeechEasy can be downloaded free of charge at www.fluencycoach.com/download.php.

For More Information:

• Janus Development Group, Inc., online: www.janusdevelopment.com.

DynaVox Mayer-Johnson, of Pittsburgh, PA, a provider of communication and education solutions for individuals with speech, language and learning disabilities, announced the company has appointed Augie Nieto to its Board of Directors. A successful entrepreneur and business executive, Mr. Nieto is living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, and communicates using a DynaVox EyeMax system.

Nieto co-founded Life Fitness and led its growth to what is today the world's largest fitness company. Since being diagnosed with ALS in 2005, he has focused his energies on funding research to find a cure for ALS. As Chief Inspiration Officer of Augie's Quest, Nieto has raised over $20 million to fund research performed by the ALS Therapy Development Institute. This research is already yielding some promising results. Nieto and his wife, Lynne, also are co-chairs of the Muscular Dystrophy Association ALS division.

"We are delighted and fortunate to have Augie join our Board of Directors," said Jim Liken, Chairman of the Board of DynaVox Mayer-Johnson. "Augie brings exceptional business acumen combined with a passion for helping those with disabilities. His personal experience in facing communication challenges and overcoming them with the DynaVox EyeMax makes him uniquely suited for a role on our Board. We are excited to work with Augie in shaping new growth strategies for the company."

"I am excited to be joining the DynaVox Mayer-Johnson Board of Directors," Nieto stated. "I started my journey in looking for communication solutions a year ago and selected a DynaVox solution which lets me communicate by moving and blinking my eyes. For me, communication is what gives me the will to continue living. There is a tremendous opportunity to help the millions of people worldwide who cannot communicate.  I hope to help DynaVox Mayer-Johnson achieve that goal."

On October 5, 2009, Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center (CHSC) will be moving into a new 48,000-square-foot headquarters at the Eastern Gateway of University Circle at 11635 Euclid Ave. in Cleveland, OH.

CHSC provides audiology, speech-language pathology, Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Regional Infant Hearing programs to over 10,000 adults and children throughout Northeast Ohio.

The facility, which will be a fully ADA-compliant, Silver-level LEED certified ("green") building, will provide improved ease of access for visitors and students, and incorporate the latest technological elements to better serve clients.

The construction project, which is on schedule and on-budget, is the centerpiece of CHSC's $16 million comprehensive campaign entitled "Strong Voice Sound Tomorrow - The Campaign for Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center."

Highlights of the building design include:

• Increasing the Center's total square footage slightly from 47,000 square feet to 48,000 square feet, which will allow for a more efficient use of space and resources.
• The facility will be much more client-friendly, with departments on one entire floor (rather than spread out over two floors as it is now).
• Improved space for evaluations, clinical treatment, group and toddler therapy rooms, parent observation, and meeting rooms.
• The CHSC Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Department will have its own wing on the first floor with an entrance directly into the department, allowing it to become a "Community Gathering Place" for those who are deaf.
• The new facility will continue a long-time partnership with Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) Department of Communication Sciences. All students and faculty will have access to the classrooms, labs, and offices that will be located on the entire 3rd floor. There also will be shared research space.
• The board room will be available for use by community groups and feature the latest L3 video conferencing capabilities for distance learning. The room also will have full AV technology and a specialized sound system for those who are hard of hearing.

According to CHSC Executive Director, Dr. Bernard P. Henri, "The success of this project results from a 'dream team' collaboration of Cleveland organizations, including University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, University Circle Inc. and, of course, Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center. We are proud of what we've accomplished using Cleveland talents and resources."

The new facility, easily accessible by public transportation, will help CHSC fulfill its goal of making the Cleveland community a friendlier, more receptive place for persons with communication differences.

Surgeons from Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Mass. General Hospital performed the first Auditory Brain Stem Implant (ABI) surgery in New England on May 20.

The ABI, which can restore the sense of hearing to certain patients, has been implanted in about 500 people worldwide. Since its initial development in 1979 at the House Ear Institute in California, and with its approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 2000, the ABI is used primarily to restore some degree of hearing loss due to Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2).

NF2 is a hereditary disease that causes the growth of multiple brain tumors, including bilateral tumors on both balance nerves. Because the auditory nerve is located near the balance nerve, the auditory nerve is damaged from tumor growth or surgical removal. Once this happens, the auditory nerve is unable to transmit signals to the brain, causing deafness. Virtually all NF2 patients develop severe to profound hearing loss in both ears.

Unlike a cochlear implant, the ABI bypasses the inner ear and auditory nerve and is surgically implanted on the cochlear nucleus, a bundle of nerves located on the brainstem. The ABI electrically activates nerves in the brainstem and restores a sense of hearing to patients with NF2. The current device is the only hearing option for deaf NF2 patients and allows them to hear sounds in their environment, such as horns and doorbells, as well as enhancing communication when combined with lip-reading. The ABI provides an option for those with hearing loss for whom other surgical methods to restore hearing loss are not possible.

Encouraging new work from abroad has also shown the recent success of ABI to restore meaningful hearing in both pediatric and adult non-NF2 patients who are deaf and cannot receive cochlear implants, such as those born without auditory nerves or others who have severely scarred inner ears. Several FDA approved studies in the United States are now underway.

The ABI surgery was performed at Massachusetts General Hospital by a team of specialists including Daniel Lee, MD, and Frederick Barker, MD. All follow-up care will be provided at Mass. Eye and Ear. The audiology team includes Barbara Herrmann, PhD, CCC-A, Sharon Kujawa, PhD, CCC-A, and Michael Skrip, AuD, CCC-A.

Supplemental Health Care, of Park City, UT, a workforce solutions company that places health care professionals in contract assignments at hospitals and health care facilities across the United States, has opened several new offices in 2009 in cities including Buffalo, NY, Las Vegas, NV, Louisville, KY, Portland, OR, Richmond, VA, San Antonio, TX and Tulsa, OK.

"We're thrilled to bring our leadership, expertise and professional vision to key cities across the country," said Mike Jacoutot, president and CEO of Supplemental Health Care.  "We are particularly proud of our commitment to expand our network and build a quality workforce, especially during today's tough economic times. Our combination of localized services and extensive national resources set us apart from the competition and will provide these cities with comprehensive and personalized staffing solutions."

The addition of these offices will allow Supplemental Health Care to more efficiently meet the needs of these individual areas. Whether those needs are acute care, long-term care, skilled nursing, outpatient, school, government, or correctional facility, Supplemental Health Care can assist by providing talent with the right skills for full-time, part-time, PRN or contract positions.

"We believe in growing and expanding our operations to help meet the workforce shortages across the country," said Mary Ann McLaughlin, president, allied and local nursing.  "Our offices become part of the community. We know our friends, neighbors and family are the very patients we will be serving. We visit the facilities we serve, get to know the staff, learn about the challenges at hand and understand the important work being done there. We recognize the role we play in patient care and know that it is our job to help you provide superior patient outcomes by providing skilled, experienced staff that is ready to hit the ground running."

Consistently recognized as one of the fastest growing health care staffing companies over the past several years, Supplemental Health Care has developed a variety of proprietary systems, programs and partnerships to deliver on their workforce solutions approach. The company helps health care facilities successfully achieve their financial objectives, surpass their clinical goals, address their current health care professional shortages, and maximize patient and staff satisfaction.

For More Information:

• Supplemental Health Care, online: www.supplementalhealthcare.com