The Voice in Your Head Is Slowing You Down

Oct 15, 2025By THOMAS COATES

TC

Subvocalization, what is it? It's that voice in your head that you use to think and read. When we first learn to read, we use this voice to sound out words and build comprehension. It's an essential first step.

But as we become better readers, that same helpful voice becomes a speed limit.

Your Brain is Waiting for Your Voice to Catch Up
Our brains are capable of processing information much faster than we can physically speak. Since that inner voice is tied to our speaking speed, it creates a bottleneck. Your eyes and your brain are literally waiting for your inner narrator to catch up.

For a neurodivergent person, this is where the trouble starts. The brain craves information, and if there's a lag, it will fill the empty space with something else. You'll suddenly find yourself thinking about what you had for lunch, or what you need to do next. On top of that, running this inner monologue is an extra mental process that drains your energy and leads to faster burnout.

Taking the Next Step: From "Hearing" to "Seeing"
Once a person is comfortable with the basics of phonics, they can start to read without sounding out every word. This is where ZenRead comes in. We're here to help you take that next step.

When words are presented to you at a speed that is faster than you can ‘hear’ them, your brain switches from listening to simply seeing and understanding. Our Free Read feature is designed to help you find that magic threshold.

Most people can pick this up quickly, but it does take time to build full comprehension at higher speeds. This is why we've integrated our AI Summary tool. It acts as a safety net, helping you confirm what you've just read and lowering the pressure as you train this new skill.

By combining these tools, we're helping you move beyond the limits of your inner voice and unlock your full potential.