Smart speaker devices can improve speech intelligibility in adults with intellectual disability.

While the mechanism of action remains to be determined, the presence of smart speakers in the home had a demonstrable impact on ratings of speech intelligibility, and could provide cost-effective inclusive support for speech and communication improvement, improving the quality of life of vulnerable populations. What this paper adds What is already known on the subject Speech intelligibility is a key obstacle for social relationships and quality of life across several vulnerable populations (children with speech difficulties, older adults with dementia, individuals with ID). Anecdotal reports suggest mainstream smart speakers (e.g., Amazon Alexa, Google Home), could improve speech intelligibility. What this paper adds to existing knowledge We used a semi-randomized controlled trial to show that using a smart speaker for about 12 weeks could improve ratings of speech intelligibility in adults with ID for both smart speaker-related phrases and unrelated words. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? These initial findings suggest that smart speaker technology could be a novel, and inclusive, route to improving speech intelligibility in vulnerable populations.