Why Practising Speech at Home Feels Awkward (and How to Make It Easier)

You know the exercises help. You might even have a sheet from your speech therapist on the fridge. But standing in the kitchen saying "Ahhh" at full volume feels ridiculous — so it doesn't happen. If that sounds familiar, you're far from alone.

What stops people doing speech therapy?

Before getting to home practice, it's worth naming the reasons many people with Parkinson's never get speech therapy at all, or stop after a short while:

• Waiting lists and access. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) with Parkinson's experience can be hard to reach, especially outside cities.
• Cost. Once funded sessions run out, private therapy adds up quickly.
• Travel and fatigue. Getting to appointments takes energy that's already in short supply.
• Not noticing the change. Parkinson's often affects how loud you think you are. Many people feel they sound normal while family keep asking them to repeat themselves — so therapy doesn't feel necessary.
• Losing momentum. Intensive programs end. Without someone checking in, practice tends to fade over the following weeks.

That last one is the most common. Which brings us to the practice itself.

Why home practice feels so awkward

You're talking to no one

Speech is social. Our brains are wired to speak to someone. Reading aloud to an empty room, or repeating a phrase ten times, lacks the thing that normally makes speaking feel natural.

It feels too loud

Speech exercises for Parkinson's usually ask you to speak at a volume that feels like shouting. Because of how Parkinson's changes loudness perception, that "too loud" voice is often just right to everyone else — but it still feels embarrassing.

Someone might hear

Thin walls, a partner in the next room, neighbours. Worrying about being overheard is one of the biggest reasons people quietly skip practice.

There's no feedback

In a therapy session, someone tells you whether you're hitting your target. At home you're guessing, and practice without any sense of progress quickly feels pointless.

It reminds you of the condition

For some people, practice is a daily reminder of something they would rather not think about. That's a completely understandable reason to avoid it.

How to make home practice easier

1. Give yourself a listener

Practise with a care partner, a friend on the phone, or a grandchild who wants a story. Speaking to a real person removes most of the awkwardness. Even a pet counts — it gives the voice somewhere to go.

2. Practise with a purpose

Swap drills for real tasks: rehearse a phone call you need to make, read the news aloud to your partner over breakfast, or describe your plans for the day. Practice tied to something real feels less like exercise. Our guide to preparing for phone calls has ready-made phrases.

3. Get some feedback

Record yourself on your phone and play it back, use a free decibel app, or use a practice tool that shows loudness and clarity as you speak. Seeing a number move makes practice feel worthwhile — and settles the "am I actually loud enough?" question.

4. Pick a time when you're alone

If being overheard bothers you, practise in the car, on a walk, or while the house is empty. Five minutes is enough. We've written more about where and when to practise, and on which device.

5. Keep it short and attached to a habit

After breakfast, while the kettle boils, before the evening news. A five-minute routine done most days beats an hour once a week.

6. Practise with others

If solo practice never sticks, a group may suit you better. Group speech therapy gives you an audience, honest feedback and a reason to show up.

It gets less awkward

Most people find the self-consciousness fades within a couple of weeks of regular practice. The louder voice starts to feel normal, and family notice the difference — which is usually the best motivation of all.

If you've stopped practising, there's no need to start from scratch. Pick one exercise, do it for two minutes today, and build from there.

We built Speech Check because of exactly these problems: short guided sessions, feedback on loudness and clarity, and an optional care partner who can cheer you on. We'd also like to hear what makes practice hard for you — share your thoughts.