Losing the ability to speak clearly after a stroke can feel devastating. For many survivors, the words are still there in their minds, but their bodies will not cooperate. Speech becomes slow, unclear or fragmented. This condition, known as dysarthria, affects nearly half of all stroke survivors and can make everyday communication exhausting. Now, researchers believe they may have found a better way forward. Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a wearable device called Revoice. It is designed to help people with post-stroke speech impairment communicate naturally again without surgery or brain implants.

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Why dysarthria makes recovery so hard

Dysarthria is a physical speech disorder. A stroke can weaken the muscles in the face, mouth and vocal cords. As a result, speech may sound slurred, slow or incomplete. Many people can only say a few words at a time, even though they know exactly what they want to say. According to professor Luigi Occhipinti, that disconnect creates deep frustration. Stroke survivors often work with speech therapists using repetitive drills. These exercises help over time, but open-ended conversation remains difficult. Recovery can take months or even longer, which leaves patients struggling during daily interactions with family, caregivers and doctors.

How the Revoice device works

Revoice takes a very different approach. Instead of asking users to type, track their eyes or rely on implants, the device reads subtle physical signals from the throat and neck. It looks like a soft, flexible choker made from breathable, washable fabric. Inside are ultra-sensitive textile strain sensors and a small wireless circuit board. When a user silently mouths words, the sensors detect tiny vibrations in the throat muscles. At the same time, the device measures pulse signals in the neck to estimate emotional state.

Those signals are processed by two artificial intelligence (AI) agents:

• One reconstructs words from mouthed speech
• The other interprets emotion and context to build complete sentences

Together, they allow Revoice to turn a few mouthed words into fluent speech in real time.

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Why this AI approach is different

Earlier silent speech systems had serious limits. Many were tested only on healthy volunteers. Others forced users to pause for several seconds between words, which made the conversation feel unnatural. Revoice avoids those delays. It uses an AI-driven throat sensor system paired with a lightweight language model. Because the model runs efficiently, it uses very little power and delivers near-instant responses. The device is powered by a 1,800 mWh battery, which researchers expect will last a full day on a single charge.

What early trials revealed

After refining the system with healthy participants, researchers tested Revoice with five stroke patients who had dysarthria.

The results were striking:

• Word error rate: 4.2%
• Sentence error rate: 2.9%

In one example, a patient mouthed the phrase “We go hospital.” Revoice expanded it into a complete sentence that reflected urgency and frustration, based on emotional signals and context. Participants reported a 55% increase in satisfaction and said the device helped them communicate as fluently as they did before their stroke.

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Beyond stroke recovery

Researchers believe Revoice could also help people with Parkinson’s disease and motor neuron disease. Because the device is comfortable, washable, and designed for daily wear, it could fit into real-world routines rather than being confined to clinics. Before that can happen, larger clinical trials are required. The research team plans to begin broader studies with native English-speaking patients and hopes to expand the system to support multiple languages and a wider range of emotional expressions. The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications.

What this means for you

If you or someone you care for has experienced a stroke, this research points to a major shift in recovery tools. Revoice suggests that speech assistance does not need to be invasive to be effective. A wearable solution could support communication during the most difficult months of rehabilitation, when confidence and independence often suffer the most. It may also reduce stress for caregivers who struggle to understand incomplete or unclear speech. Clear communication can improve medical care, emotional well-being and daily decision-making.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Communication is tied closely to dignity and independence. For stroke survivors, losing that ability can be one of the hardest parts of recovery. Revoice shows how artificial intelligence and wearable tech can work together to restore something deeply human. While it is still early, this device represents a meaningful step toward making recovery feel less isolating and more hopeful.

If a simple wearable could help restore natural speech, should it become a standard part of stroke rehabilitation? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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“We are going to make a huge investment in OpenAI. I believe in OpenAI, the work that they do is incredible, they are one of the most consequential companies of our time and I really love working with Sam,” he said, referring to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

“Sam is closing the round (of investment) and we will absolutely be involved,” Huang added. “We will invest a great deal of money, probably the largest investment we’ve ever made.”

Amazon has agreed to pay $2.5 billion to settle allegations brought by the Federal Trade Commission over how it enrolled customers in Prime and how difficult it made cancellation. 

The FTC alleged Amazon enrolled millions of consumers without clear consent and failed to provide a simple way to cancel.

“The evidence showed that Amazon used sophisticated subscription traps designed to manipulate consumers into enrolling in Prime, and then made it exceedingly hard for consumers to end their subscription,” Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson said.

Rather than proceed to trial, Amazon chose to settle the case. The company did not admit liability and says it has already made changes to Prime enrollment and cancellation flows. Still, the agreement stands as the second-largest monetary judgment ever secured by the Federal Trade Commission.

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How the $2.5 billion settlement breaks down

The court-ordered settlement is divided into two parts. First, Amazon must pay a $1 billion civil penalty to the federal government. As a result, this marks the largest civil penalty ever tied to a violation of an FTC rule. Second, $1.5 billion is set aside for consumer refunds. Eligible Prime subscribers may receive compensation for Prime membership fees paid during the covered period, capped at $51 per person. Because this is an FTC action, only U.S.-based Prime subscribers qualify. Therefore, customers outside the United States are not eligible.

Who qualifies for an Amazon Prime refund

You may qualify for compensation if either of the following applies.

• First, you signed up for Amazon Prime in the United States between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025.
• Alternatively, you attempted to cancel Prime through the online cancellation process during that same period but were unable to complete it. This includes entering the cancellation flow and not finishing or accepting a Save Offer.

To confirm when you joined Prime, log in to your Amazon account. Then go to Memberships and Subscriptions and select Payment history under Prime.

How Amazon is issuing refunds

Under the settlement, refunds are distributed in two groups based on eligibility.

Automatic Payment Group

Some consumers qualified for automatic payments.

• You were eligible if you signed up for Prime between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025, enrolled through a challenged enrollment flow and used no more than three Prime benefits in any 12-month period.
• Automatic payments were issued within 90 days of the court order, with most eligible customers receiving funds by late December 2025. These payments covered Prime membership fees paid up to $51. No claim was required.

However, if you believe you qualified for an automatic payment but did not receive one, you may still be eligible to file a claim.

Claims Process Payment Group

At this point, the claims process is the primary path for refunds. The claims window opened January 5, 2026. Eligible consumers are being notified by email or postcard through early February. You may qualify to file a claim if you unintentionally enrolled in Prime through a challenged enrollment method or tried but failed to cancel your membership online between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025, and used fewer than 10 Prime benefits during any 12-month period. In addition, you must not have already received an automatic payment. To file a claim, you will need to confirm one of two conditions by checking a box on the claim form. Claims are reviewed for eligibility. Approved claims receive compensation for Prime fees paid, capped at $51 per person.

Where to file a Prime settlement claim

If you are eligible to file a claim, official instructions will be provided by email or mail. You can also access the court-approved settlement site directly at: subscriptionmembershipsettlement.com.

Links to the settlement site are also available on Amazon’s website, the Prime membership page and within the Amazon app.

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Even if you do not qualify for a refund, this settlement is a strong reminder to review your subscriptions and confirm you are paying only for services you actively use. Here’s how to cancel a subscription using your iPhone and Android.

“Payments are being handled by the settlement administrator. Customers can find information and submit claims at the administrator’s website subscriptionmembershipsettlement.com,” an Amazon spokesperson told CyberGuy.

How to add or manage your Amazon Prime account

If you already have an Amazon account, adding or managing Prime takes only a few minutes. First, log in to Amazon and open the Accounts and Lists menu. From there, select Prime to view your membership details. Next, follow the prompts to add Prime or manage an existing subscription. Amazon displays pricing, billing dates and available benefits before you confirm. For that reason, review each screen carefully so you know exactly what you are agreeing to. For more on “How to get a cheap Amazon Prime membership,” click here.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Overall, this settlement sends a clear message about subscription transparency. While a $51 refund may feel modest, the broader impact matters. Regulators are forcing companies to simplify signups and make cancellations easier. If you ever felt trapped in a subscription you did not intend to start, this case shows enforcement is finally catching up to deceptive design tactics.

Have you ever tried to cancel a subscription and felt blocked or misled along the way? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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