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Communication Breakdowns Are a Major Hurdle for Caregivers

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1 year ago

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New ASHA–YouGov Poll Reveals Experiences of Caregivers of People With Communication and Other Challenges

Caregivers Highly Rate the Help of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists

ROCKVILLE, Md., May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A majority of caregivers of children and adults with communication difficulties (60%) say that communication breakdowns make their role more challenging, according to a national poll commissioned by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and conducted by YouGov.

Millions of Americans have communication disorders—which include speech, language, and hearing difficulties.

The poll results are being released today—the start of National Speech-Language-Hearing Month—to raise awareness about the critical role that caregivers play and what they experience.

Millions of Americans have communication disorders—which include speech, language, and hearing difficulties. The disorders are common in young children, school-aged children, and adults. Some people are born with them. Others acquire communication disorders later in life from various causes—including accidents or injuries, strokes, neurodegenerative conditions, and cancers of the head and neck. Communication difficulties can be a natural result of the aging process, too.

Impact of Communication Breakdowns
The communication breakdowns described by caregivers include their inability to understand what the care recipient wants or needs due to the care recipient’s communication challenges; anger or other emotional outbursts by the care recipient when they can’t get their message across; and frustration on caregivers’ part when they need to repeat messages multiple times because the person they are caring for can’t remember what was said to them or can’t hear what is being said.

More than half (59%) of caregivers of people with communication difficulties say that daily life would be much easier if they could reduce communication breakdowns, and 53% say that such breakdowns make them feel sad, depressed, overwhelmed, helpless, or frustrated. These and other poll findings illuminate how important effective communication is for caregivers and care recipients across the age span.

There are ramifications from the communication breakdowns: nearly half (45%) of caregivers report that concerns about communication issues lead to fewer public interactions. Forty percent of those who care for children with speech, language, or hearing difficulties say that communication breakdowns are a leading cause of children’s challenges at school and daycare—as well as behavioral problems and tantrums.

Top Challenges for Caregivers
Strain on their own mental health is the top challenge for caregivers—nearly 50% of them report feeling such strain. Caregivers of children identify their leading stressors as behavioral and emotional challenges; caregivers of adults indicate household tasks as their leading stressors. Sixty-three percent of caregivers say that they need more resources and support, and only 21% are compensated for providing care. Overall, caregivers report spending an average of 39 hours per week caregiving.

“We have great empathy and respect for caregivers across country who give so much of themselves to those in their care,” ASHA 2025 President Bernadette Mayfield-Clarke, PhD, CCC-SLP, said. “They deserve greater support.”

Most caregivers are family members caring for their children and parents. The majority are women (57%), most are employed outside their caregiver role (59%), and their average age is 48. The average ages of each care recipient population (children and adults) are 11 and 68, respectively. Half of the caregivers live full time with the people in their care—and did so before they ever started providing care.

Caregivers of children are more likely to receive some form of compensation and have more access to Medicaid assistance. That can reduce economic pressures and allow caregivers more time and resources for other responsibilities.

Positive Aspects of Caregiving
Caregivers do find positivity in what they do. Most of them say that they have greater appreciation for the small moments in life, draw satisfaction from providing good care, and have developed more patience. They also see good results in other respects, including receiving help from specialists—like audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Audiologists diagnose and treat hearing and balance disorders. Speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive disorders.

Sixty-five percent of caregivers whose care recipients saw an audiologist say that the audiologist improved daily life either a great deal or a good amount; 89% recommend seeing one. The percentages for speech-language pathologists are much the same: 77% and 91%, respectively.

“ASHA’s member audiologists and speech-language pathologists are committed to providing services that help people who have communication difficulties, as well as their caregivers,” Mayfield-Clarke said. “Clearly, the polling shows that their services can be very impactful.”

Caregivers show dedication to improving the communication picture between themselves and the people in their care. More than one third (36%) say that they have figured out how to communicate effectively; 34% say that they are making progress on communicating effectively; and 27% say communication is a struggle, but they’re still working on it. Only 4% reported that they or their care recipients have given up on communication entirely.

Throughout the caregiver experience, effective communication is needed in a variety of ways. At medical appointments, for example, 73% of caregivers who attend appointments either somewhat or strongly agree that health care professionals communicate with them in a manner that is easy to understand. However, only 40% of those caregivers attending appointments say that their care recipient is asked how they prefer to communicate—when a health care professional asks this of a patient or client, it helps the person equitably participate in the appointment. Also, nearly 30% say that health care professionals often don’t communicate in a way that the care recipient can understand.

“Being able to communicate effectively is a human right,” Mayfield-Clarke noted. “It applies to appointment settings, too.”

Polling Methodology: All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18+ who are caregivers of people whom ASHA members serve (e.g., children and adults with speech, language, hearing, swallowing, balance, and/or cognitive disorders or difficulties). Fieldwork was undertaken March 6–21, 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of U.S. adults ages 18+ who are caregivers of people whom ASHA members serve.

About YouGov
YouGov is a global provider of analysis and data generated by research in more than 40 markets. As online market research pioneers, YouGov’s data consistently outperform others on accuracy, as concluded by Pew Research. YouGov’s custom research specialists conduct a full spectrum of quantitative and qualitative research, providing comprehensive market intelligence to the world’s leading businesses and institutions. www.yougov.com

About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 241,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology assistants; and students. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment, including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) identify, assess, and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders. www.asha.org.

View all ASHA press releases at https://www.asha.org/about/press-room/.

CONTACT:
Joseph Cerquone
301-296-8732
JCerquone@asha.org 

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SOURCE American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

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Football Tournament Season Sparks Global Social Connection Surge as 3Fun Reports Growth Across Key Markets

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4 minutes ago

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July 18, 2026

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NEW YORK, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the World Cup enters its final stage and fans celebrate across the globe, new data from 3Fun, the leading dating app for open-minded singles and partners, reveals that the World Cup’s impact extends far beyond the stadium. The tournament has ignited a massive surge in global social activity, with users increasingly turning to the platform to translate sporting euphoria into personal connections.

The “Celebratory Intimacy” Effect: Why Winning Drives Matching

Psychological research has long suggested that major sports victories do more than just boost national pride; they influence human biology and intimacy. Studies indicate that watching a favorite team win can temporarily elevate testosterone levels in fans, leading to a surge in sexual desire and “celebratory intimacy”. This theory is vividly reflected in 3Fun’s latest performance metrics.

Compared with the previous 20-day period, 3Fun saw a 6.13% increase in Daily Active Users (DAU) during the peak of the World Cup season (June 23 – July 12), adding more than 275,000 active participants. The platform’s “heat” was further evidenced by an additional 446,491 messages sent, while the user match rate jumped by 5.71%, resulting in nearly 50,000 new connections.

Spain and Argentina Lead the “Lust for Victory”

The data shows a direct correlation between success on the pitch and activity on 3Fun. Nations with deep football cultures and strong tournament performances saw the highest growth:

Spain: Witnessed a staggering 37.56% surge in new users.Argentina: Followed with a 26.62% increase.France & Mexico: Saw growth rates of 25.44% and 21.42% respectively.

In the U.S., cities like Houston (+8.98%) and New York (+7.45%) led the way. This trend aligns with a broader cultural shift: recent 3Fun data reveals that 69% of Americans report a growing interest in non-traditional relationships, with 77% of seekers preferring dating apps to find compatible partners.

Digital Jet-Setting: 3Fun’s “Roaming” Feature Becomes a Fan Favorite

While millions traveled for the games, many more “traveled” virtually. 3Fun’s new Roaming feature, currently in gray-scale testing, allows users to explore connections beyond their current location by virtually discovering communities in other cities.

The top 10 “Roaming” destinations during the Football Tournament  season reveal where the world’s social interest was concentrated:

Sao Paulo, Brazil (17.35% of total roaming volume)New York, USA (14.82%)Las Vegas, USA (11.37%)Los Angeles, USA (11.19%)London, UK (9.89%)Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (7.40%)Houston, USA (7.36%)Dallas, USA (7.18%)Miami, USA (6.85%)Chicago, USA (6.60%).

The dominance of Brazilian cities like Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro highlights a “digital pilgrimage” to the spiritual home of football, where users sought to connect with the local energy and like-minded fans.

3Fun Insight: Connection Beyond the Game

“Major global events like the World Cup bring people together far beyond the borders of the pitch,” said Daniel Morgan, 3Fun’s Director of Social Trends. “Our data shows that users aren’t just looking for scores; they are looking for meaningful, shared experiences. Whether through virtual roaming or local matching, these events create unique windows for people to explore their desires in a safe, celebratory, and inclusive community”.

Daniel further noted, “With 72% of users noticing growing acceptance of diverse relationship styles, global sports events such as the World Cup represent a moment when people feel more open to meeting others and exploring new forms of connection”.

About 3Fun: With over 10 million downloads and 3 million verified active users worldwide, 3Fun is the leading dating app for open-minded singles and partners to meet like-minded people. The platform provides a safe and inclusive space to explore ethical open relationships and polyamory, fostering community and connection without judgment. 

Disclaimer: 3Fun is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by FIFA, the World Cup, or any official World Cup organizing body. All references to the tournament are descriptive or for informational and topical context only.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/football-tournament-season-sparks-global-social-connection-surge-as-3fun-reports-growth-across-key-markets-302828995.html

SOURCE 3Fun

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Best AI Design Tools (2026): CapCut Named a Top Choice for Creating Images and Marketing Assets by Software Experts

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1 hour ago

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July 18, 2026

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NEW YORK, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Software Experts has recognized CapCut as a top choice among AI design tools for 2026, citing its AI Design Studio as a standout resource for creating images and marketing assets. The recognition points to the platform’s combination of automated layout generation, image editing, and campaign focused features built for marketers, e-commerce sellers, and content creators.

Best AI Design Tools

CapCut AI Design Studio – a web based design workspace that uses AI to help users create ads, product visuals, and branded content without prior design experience.

Core Capabilities of the AI Design Studio

The AI Design Studio is built around a conversational, infinite canvas that allows users to work with an AI design agent in real time. Instead of starting from a blank template, users type a prompt, upload reference images, and receive layout options generated automatically.

The latest version, Design 2.0, brings references, drafts, assets, and edits into a single workspace. Features include pencil prompting for visual editing, smart layer split for separating subjects and backgrounds, and a One More function that generates new creative directions from an existing design. Users can circle, brush, or mark up an image directly to guide how the AI adjusts a design, rather than relying only on written prompts.

An inspiration hub with built in assets and license free images is also part of the workspace, helping users start projects without sourcing outside materials. Layers for text, subjects, and backgrounds remain editable throughout the process, which allows for adjustments without regenerating an entire design from scratch.

Applications for E-Commerce and Marketing Teams

The AI Design Studio supports several common business use cases, including product content creation, trend based design remixing, and clothing visualization for fashion brands. These features are designed to reduce the time spent on repetitive production tasks, particularly for teams that need to update visuals frequently.

For e-commerce sellers, the tool can generate product main images, banners, and packaging designs from a single uploaded photo, and supports batch replacement across shared backgrounds. A seller managing multiple product lines can apply the same background and layout across different items with one click, rather than recreating each asset individually.

Fashion brands can use the AI clothing try-on feature to visualize how garments appear on different models, helping with catalog updates during seasonal campaigns such as Black Friday. Marketing and social teams can generate assets in multiple styles and resize them automatically for different platforms, which helps maintain consistency across channels without manual reformatting. The trend remixing feature also allows brands to reference the structure of a popular design while keeping the content original to their own products.

Design Automation Powered by Seedream 5.0

For marketing posters and layout heavy assets, the AI Design Studio incorporates the Seedream 5.0 model, which is ranked first on Artificial Analysis’ Text-to-Image Leaderboard. The model is used to arrange visual elements, generate multiple layout variations, and handle typesetting automatically based on uploaded product images.

This approach is intended to reduce the manual work involved in formatting marketing materials. Uploading one or more product photos allows the system to generate several layout options, positioning text, imagery, and other elements without requiring manual placement. Once a layout is generated, users can continue refining it with stickers, filters, or additional effects within the same workspace.

The process is designed to move from prompt to a finished, ready to use asset without requiring separate design software. For teams producing large volumes of seasonal or promotional content, this can reduce the number of tools involved in a single campaign.

Why AI Design Tools Matter for Small Teams

AI design tools are becoming useful because many teams need more visual content than traditional workflows can comfortably support. The Software Experts review notes that marketers, creators, and small businesses often need product images, social graphics, banners, email headers, event posters, and campaign visuals on tight timelines.

For small teams, the main advantage is not simply automation. It is the ability to get to a workable draft faster. Starting from a blank canvas can slow down campaign production, especially when a team is managing several platforms or product lines. AI-assisted design tools can generate starting points, resize assets, suggest layouts, and help keep visuals consistent across channels.

Access and Getting Started

The AI Design Studio is accessible through CapCut desktop by selecting Design Agent from the main dashboard. Users enter a text prompt describing the desired output, optionally upload reference images, and review the generated results.

A typical workflow might involve uploading a reference photo and entering a detailed prompt describing a desired style, color palette, or setting. The AI then generates initial design options based on that input. The built in editor allows for further adjustments, including color changes, auto cutout, element removal, and text overlays, before the final image is downloaded in high resolution.

Software Experts noted that the AI Design Studio is suited to a range of users, from e-commerce sellers managing large catalogs to individual creators producing social media content, as well as marketing teams handling multiple campaigns at once. The tool is offered as part of CapCut’s existing platform, with pricing details available directly through CapCut.

Readers can find the full review at Software Experts.

About CapCut

CapCut is an AI-powered photo and video editing platform designed to make high-quality video creation accessible across devices. The platform supports creators, businesses, and everyday users with tools for video editing, AI video generation, captions, templates, audio, and visual editing. CapCut is available across mobile, web, desktop, and iPad experiences, helping users create, edit, and prepare video content for social media, marketing, education, and personal projects.

About Software Experts: Software Experts delivers in-depth news on the digital tools shaping today’s consumer experience. As an affiliate, Software Experts may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/best-ai-design-tools-2026-capcut-named-a-top-choice-for-creating-images-and-marketing-assets-by-software-experts-302828625.html

SOURCE SoftwareExperts.org

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Best AI Design Tools (2026): CapCut Named a Top Choice for Creating Images and Marketing Assets by Software Experts

Published

1 hour ago

on

July 18, 2026

By

NEW YORK, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Software Experts has recognized CapCut as a top choice among AI design tools for 2026, citing its AI Design Studio as a standout resource for creating images and marketing assets. The recognition points to the platform’s combination of automated layout generation, image editing, and campaign focused features built for marketers, e-commerce sellers, and content creators.

Best AI Design Tools

CapCut AI Design Studio – a web based design workspace that uses AI to help users create ads, product visuals, and branded content without prior design experience.

Core Capabilities of the AI Design Studio

The AI Design Studio is built around a conversational, infinite canvas that allows users to work with an AI design agent in real time. Instead of starting from a blank template, users type a prompt, upload reference images, and receive layout options generated automatically.

The latest version, Design 2.0, brings references, drafts, assets, and edits into a single workspace. Features include pencil prompting for visual editing, smart layer split for separating subjects and backgrounds, and a One More function that generates new creative directions from an existing design. Users can circle, brush, or mark up an image directly to guide how the AI adjusts a design, rather than relying only on written prompts.

An inspiration hub with built in assets and license free images is also part of the workspace, helping users start projects without sourcing outside materials. Layers for text, subjects, and backgrounds remain editable throughout the process, which allows for adjustments without regenerating an entire design from scratch.

Applications for E-Commerce and Marketing Teams

The AI Design Studio supports several common business use cases, including product content creation, trend based design remixing, and clothing visualization for fashion brands. These features are designed to reduce the time spent on repetitive production tasks, particularly for teams that need to update visuals frequently.

For e-commerce sellers, the tool can generate product main images, banners, and packaging designs from a single uploaded photo, and supports batch replacement across shared backgrounds. A seller managing multiple product lines can apply the same background and layout across different items with one click, rather than recreating each asset individually.

Fashion brands can use the AI clothing try-on feature to visualize how garments appear on different models, helping with catalog updates during seasonal campaigns such as Black Friday. Marketing and social teams can generate assets in multiple styles and resize them automatically for different platforms, which helps maintain consistency across channels without manual reformatting. The trend remixing feature also allows brands to reference the structure of a popular design while keeping the content original to their own products.

Design Automation Powered by Seedream 5.0

For marketing posters and layout heavy assets, the AI Design Studio incorporates the Seedream 5.0 model, which is ranked first on Artificial Analysis’ Text-to-Image Leaderboard. The model is used to arrange visual elements, generate multiple layout variations, and handle typesetting automatically based on uploaded product images.

This approach is intended to reduce the manual work involved in formatting marketing materials. Uploading one or more product photos allows the system to generate several layout options, positioning text, imagery, and other elements without requiring manual placement. Once a layout is generated, users can continue refining it with stickers, filters, or additional effects within the same workspace.

The process is designed to move from prompt to a finished, ready to use asset without requiring separate design software. For teams producing large volumes of seasonal or promotional content, this can reduce the number of tools involved in a single campaign.

Why AI Design Tools Matter for Small Teams

AI design tools are becoming useful because many teams need more visual content than traditional workflows can comfortably support. The Software Experts review notes that marketers, creators, and small businesses often need product images, social graphics, banners, email headers, event posters, and campaign visuals on tight timelines.

For small teams, the main advantage is not simply automation. It is the ability to get to a workable draft faster. Starting from a blank canvas can slow down campaign production, especially when a team is managing several platforms or product lines. AI-assisted design tools can generate starting points, resize assets, suggest layouts, and help keep visuals consistent across channels.

Access and Getting Started

The AI Design Studio is accessible through CapCut desktop by selecting Design Agent from the main dashboard. Users enter a text prompt describing the desired output, optionally upload reference images, and review the generated results.

A typical workflow might involve uploading a reference photo and entering a detailed prompt describing a desired style, color palette, or setting. The AI then generates initial design options based on that input. The built in editor allows for further adjustments, including color changes, auto cutout, element removal, and text overlays, before the final image is downloaded in high resolution.

Software Experts noted that the AI Design Studio is suited to a range of users, from e-commerce sellers managing large catalogs to individual creators producing social media content, as well as marketing teams handling multiple campaigns at once. The tool is offered as part of CapCut’s existing platform, with pricing details available directly through CapCut.

Readers can find the full review at Software Experts.

About CapCut

CapCut is an AI-powered photo and video editing platform designed to make high-quality video creation accessible across devices. The platform supports creators, businesses, and everyday users with tools for video editing, AI video generation, captions, templates, audio, and visual editing. CapCut is available across mobile, web, desktop, and iPad experiences, helping users create, edit, and prepare video content for social media, marketing, education, and personal projects.

About Software Experts: Software Experts delivers in-depth news on the digital tools shaping today’s consumer experience. As an affiliate, Software Experts may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/best-ai-design-tools-2026-capcut-named-a-top-choice-for-creating-images-and-marketing-assets-by-software-experts-302828625.html

SOURCE SoftwareExperts.org

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