Balbus Speech

We're launching SpeechForGood, a mobile app that connects people with their speech therapy while giving 20% back to clinics in the developing world.

The Problem

Speech therapy has the power to transform communication for millions of people with speech impediments around the world. However, some aspects of speech therapy can limit who can effectively find therapy. At Balbus Speech, we are finding new ways to transcend the limitations of speech therapy and help people find their voice. What are the “limitations” we seek to overcome? ---Speech therapy is completed one session at a time, lacking engagement between sessions ---Speech therapy is expensive and often inaccessible ---Speech therapy organizations are under-funded in many countries in the developing world ---Speech therapy has yet to fully embrace social media and mobile technology

Our Solution

Balbus Speech is in the process of developing its first product, SpeechForGood. SpeechForGood is a mobile application that offers people with speech impediments and therapists alike a wide range of speech therapy tools from their iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. SpeechForGood incorporates many of the same proven speech practice exercises that are used in successful therapy programs. The app allows users to access these practice tools remotely and to share each SpeechForGood session with their therapist. SpeechForGood connects and engages its users by providing an accessible, effective, and affordable practice platform to maintain speech practice away from therapy sessions. Best of all, SpeechForGood looks to improve speech therapy opportunities in the developing world. We believe that speech therapy can truly transform the lives of millions of people with speech impediments around the world. Therefore, SpeechForGood will give 20% of its profits directly to speech therapy organizations in the developing world.

Our Story & Why You Should Support Us

After years of undergoing therapy myself, I knew there was a better way to sustain the positive effects of speech therapy. I had stuttered for my entire life and I was waking up before sunrise and boarding a train into Boston to practice my speech motor skills at an intensive speech therapy clinic. For several hours a day, I essentially re-trained myself how to speak for fluency. I can attest that speech therapy was very effective in my case. However, I longed for a sustainable solution for once I left speech therapy. So, I took my passion for entrepreneurship (after failing in my first start-up, a curbside vegetable stand!) and looked for ways to connect the speech therapy community with technology. Now, with my own experiences in mind, I'm looking to empower those in speech therapy to find their voice in an accessible, effective and affordable way.

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