Solution Step 2 : Blockage Handling
In Step 1, we focused on introducing a continuous flow by realigning our default speech mechanism. Now in Step 2, we will specifically target blockages : what I call speech bubbles and learn how to handle them more effectively.
What is speech bubble ?
I have observed that during blockages and repetitions, people who stammer often show specific facial expressions, eye movements, or tension or almost like something is stuck. This moment is what I call a Speech Bubble.
Everyone experiences occasional speech blockages due to multiple flowing thoughts or some distractions etc. As a person who stammers, you’re already aware of your stammering and due to that hesitation and nervousness, instead of letting the blockage pass naturally, you might try to force your way through it. But this extra effort, rather than helping, actually makes things worse and turning a -tiny, split-second pause into a 5-6 long second or longer struggle that is Speech Bubble.
For a fluent speaker these are just minor, natural pauses and so small that they don’t even register consciously. But for a person who stammers, past experiences make these moments feel like a serious problem. The fear of stammering kicks in and leading to tension and over-effort which turns a simple pause into a struggle.
Right Approach ?
In this case practice is not the solution. I have seen people speak fluently during speech therapy or practice sessions, but yet struggle with stammering in real conversations.
This happens because of wrong habit of consciously putting in effort. Sometimes, that effort helps but it doesn’t work consistently. The key is to unlearn the habit of forcing speech and instead allow words to flow naturally. Now to unlearn this in terms of neuroscience perspective there is need of something which restructures the brain’s speech processing pathways, by altering timing, reducing over-monitoring, and engaging the correct neural circuits. In Step 1, we focused more on the speech mechanism. Here, the focus is on recovering from blockages.
Solution here is Delayed Audio Feedback
Delayed Auditory Feedback (DAF) is a technique It works by playing back the speaker’s voice with a slight delay, usually a fraction of a second. Use below tool, I have developed this specifically for Stammering, blockage management & feedback neural development perspective.
- Start with a 2–3 second delay, practice daily and then adjust the delay based on your speech pace and comfort level.
- No need for long, intensive practice sessions, just 5–10 minutes of DAF session before an important call, interview or meeting, followed by 5 minutes of quick humming Or simply daily few quick sessions.
- As your brain is receiving constant feedback it helps to identify automatic speech patterns. DAF disrupts these patterns and forces the brain to process speech differently. Since the speaker hears their own voice with a delay, they focus more on articulation, making speech smoother.
- You’ll notice a clear improvement in your communication after each DAF session, and over time, it will naturally become a habit.
Neuroscience Perspective :
Speech production involves a loop between the motor cortex and the auditory cortex, simple words coordination between muscle controller and sound processor. Fluent speakers rely on automatic, rapid feedback, but people who stammer may have disruptions in this loop and rely on strong conscious recovery or effort. DAF slows down this feedback, forcing the brain to process speech more deliberately, reducing the likelihood of stammering.
Technically superior temporal gyrus, premotor cortex work together more actively under DAF also lowering activity in hyperactive brain regions. This encourages a more rhythmic, controlled speech pattern, improving timing perception in speech.
Also delayed feedback encourages the speaker to slow down their speech rate and create a controlled speaking pace or in a rhythmic manner reduces disfluencies
Hearing one’s voice with a delay makes speakers more conscious of how they are speaking, helping them make real-time adjustments. Some people feel less pressure to speak quickly when using DAF, which can help reduce anxiety and secondary stammering behaviours.
My Experience :
People who stammer often engage in hyperactive self-monitoring, overanalysing their speech. DAF disrupts this habit and making speech feel less effortful by shifting focus to external auditory feedback instead of internal speech control.
Personally, this approach helped me a lot during my stammering journey. Back in 2019–20, I would do a few minutes of quick DAF sessions before important calls and other key events. That’s why I developed this small app. Later, I fully recovered by combining it with two other steps, which together form this complete program. During the real-life application phase of this project, we received positive feedback from around 85% of the people who benefited from it.
Conclusion and What’s Next
The Step 2 – speech realignment program, especially through timing and rhythm exercises, has the power to transform speech fluency by rewiring the brain’s natural timing mechanisms. My personal journey, supported by research and practical results, shows how dedication and the right tools can lead to lasting improvement.
Wishing you strength and success and All the best on your path to smoother, more confident speech!
I look forward to seeing you in Step 2 and 3, where we will dive deeper into advanced techniques to further enhance your fluency.
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