Experimental implant helps stroke survivor speak again

Scientists have created a new device that helps people who cannot speak communicate by turning their thoughts about speech into spoken words. This brain-computer interface (BCI) is still in the early stages but holds promise for those who are unable to talk. In a recent study, a 47-year-old woman who had not spoken for 18 years due to a stroke was able to use the device. Doctors implanted the device in her brain during a clinical trial. The technology allows her to express her thoughts into fluent sentences. Unlike other BCIs, this device reduces delays between thought and speech, improving conversation flow. Researchers hope that with ongoing investment, this technology could become widely available in the next decade. It offers a significant leap forward in helping those with speech disabilities regain their voices.