How to Prepare for Phone Calls with Speech Difficulties

Phone calls can feel daunting when you have dysarthria or speech changes from Parkinson's or stroke. Without visual cues, the other person relies entirely on your voice. But with a bit of preparation, you can make calls with more confidence and clarity.

Why phone calls are harder

In face-to-face conversation, people read your lips, facial expressions, and gestures — all of which help them understand you even when your speech isn't perfectly clear. On the phone, all of that disappears.

Add in background noise, poor phone connections, and the pressure of "real-time" conversation, and it's no wonder phone calls feel harder than chatting in person.

The good news: a few minutes of preparation can make a real difference.

Before the call: warm up your voice

Your voice works better when it's warmed up — just like your muscles before exercise. Try this 2-minute routine before important calls:

Quick warm-up routine (2 minutes)

1. Breath activation (30 seconds): Take 3-4 slow, deep breaths. Inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth with a gentle "sss" or "fff" sound.
2. Humming (30 seconds): Hum gently, feeling the vibration in your lips and nose. Start low, glide higher, then back down.
3. Loud vowels (30 seconds): Say "Ahhh," "Eee," "Ooo" at a strong (but not strained) volume. Hold each for 3-5 seconds.
4. Practice your opening (30 seconds): Say the first thing you'll say on the call — your name, greeting, or the reason for calling. Say it clearly and a bit louder than feels natural.

This gets your breath flowing, wakes up your vocal cords, and gives you a "feel" for your target loudness before the call starts.

Run a quick speech check

If you have Speech Check, run a 60-second test before your call. It gives you instant feedback on loudness and clarity, so you know if you're hitting your targets or need to push a bit more.

Think of it like checking a mirror before going out — a quick confidence check that takes less than a minute.

During the call: strategies that help

1. Slow down

When we're nervous, we speed up. Consciously slow your pace — it feels strange, but it dramatically improves clarity. Pause between sentences. Give the listener time to process.

2. Speak louder than feels natural

People with dysarthria often underestimate how quiet they sound. Aim for a volume that feels "a bit too loud" — it probably isn't.

3. Over-articulate

Exaggerate your consonants slightly. Hit the "t" in "that," the "p" in "please." It feels exaggerated to you but sounds clearer to the listener.

4. Use short sentences

Long, complex sentences are harder to follow on the phone. Break your thoughts into shorter chunks. Pause between them.

5. Front-load important information

Say the most important thing first. If you're calling to make an appointment, start with "I'd like to make an appointment" rather than building up to it.

6. Spell things out

For names, addresses, or anything that might be misheard, spell it out using the phonetic alphabet or simple words: "M as in Mary, C as in Cat."

7. Check in

Don't assume you've been understood. Ask: "Did you catch that?" or "Would you like me to repeat anything?" It's not a sign of weakness — it's good communication.

Setting up your environment

Where you make the call matters:

• Find a quiet space: Background noise makes it harder for both of you. Turn off the TV, close windows, move away from busy areas.
• Use a headset or speakerphone with care: Some headsets improve clarity; some speakerphones make you sound distant. Test what works best.
• Have water nearby: A dry mouth affects voice quality. Sip water before and, if needed, during the call.
• Keep notes in front of you: Write down key points you want to make. It reduces mental load and helps you stay on track.

Scripts and phrases that help

Having ready phrases reduces the pressure of thinking on the spot:

Opening the call

• "Hi, this is [name]. I'm calling about..."
• "Hello, my name is [name], spelled [spell it out]."

Asking for patience

• "I have a speech condition, so I may speak slowly. Thanks for your patience."
• "Please bear with me — I need to speak carefully to be clear."

You don't have to explain your condition in detail. A simple heads-up sets expectations and usually gets a kind response.

Checking understanding

• "Did you get that?"
• "Would you mind reading that back to me?"
• "Let me repeat that to make sure it's clear."

Closing the call

• "Thank you for your time."
• "I appreciate your patience."

Consider alternatives when appropriate

Phone calls aren't always the best option. When possible:

• Video calls: Zoom, FaceTime, or WhatsApp video let the other person see your face, which helps comprehension.
• Email or text: For non-urgent matters, written communication removes the time pressure entirely.
• Relay services: In many countries, telephone relay services can help if you have significant speech difficulties.

Using alternatives isn't giving up — it's choosing the right tool for the situation.

After the call: reflect briefly

After an important call, take 30 seconds to think about what went well:

• Did the warm-up help?
• Were there moments where you felt unclear? What might help next time?
• Did slowing down make a difference?

This isn't about being hard on yourself — it's about noticing what works so you can build on it.

Practice makes progress

The more you practice, the easier calls become. If you're avoiding the phone entirely, start small — a quick call to a family member, or checking store hours. Build up gradually.

Combine phone practice with your daily speech exercises, and you'll notice improvement over time.