The Case Against Silence: How Apps for Nonverbal Communication Put You Back in Control

 

Ever feel like everyone else is having a conversation you’re not a part of? If you’re one of the hundreds of thousands of adults who have lost their ability to speak for one reason or another, you probably answered that question with a resounding “Yes!”

You’ve got so much to say, so many thoughts swirling around in your head, but getting them out feels like trying to run a marathon with your legs tied. That’s the cruel irony of losing your ability to speak—your mind is as sharp as ever, but your voice isn’t there to prove it.

Take Jennifer Wexton, for example. She’s a U.S. Representative from Virginia, and recently, she did something no one in Congress had ever done before. She took to the House floor and made her voice heard—without actually speaking a word.

How? She used an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device.

That’s right, she stood in front of her peers and delivered her message using a text-to-speech app. And guess what? They listened!

Mrs. Wexton has a disease called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a variety of Parkinson’s disease that has often been called “Parkinson’s on steroids.”

 

One of the many Parkinson’s symptoms that patients have to deal with is slurred, slow, or quiet speech, so when her voice started becoming less reliable, Mrs. Wexton chose to use a text-to-speech app to address her colleagues.

“I hope I can show that even as debilitating a diagnosis as this doesn’t have to mean you are powerless,” she told CNN, using the text-to-speech program in the interview.

Now, you might be thinking, “Sure, that’s great for her, but I’m not in Congress.” But whether you’re making a speech in D.C. or just trying to order a cup of coffee, the frustration of being unheard is the same.

You’re not alone in feeling that gut-wrenching mix of anxiety, stress, and maybe even a little anger. And it’s okay to feel that way.

But here’s the thing: Silence doesn’t have to win. You can take back control. Jennifer Wexton did, and so can you. We’re going to talk about how, and why using an AAC app could be the game-changer you’ve been waiting for.

Ready? Let’s begin.

The Social and Emotional Toll of Silence

When you lose your ability to speak, the world doesn’t just get quieter—it can feel like it’s closing in on you.

Conversations become one-sided, interactions with friends and family feel strained, and before you know it, you’re retreating into your shell, not because you want to, but because it’s easier than the frustration of trying to communicate.

It’s not just about the words; it’s about the connection, the give-and-take of a real conversation. When that’s gone, everything else starts to unravel.

How Losing Your Voice Impacts Social Interaction

Imagine being at a family gathering. The room is full of laughter, stories, and quick exchanges. You want to join in, to throw in that witty comment or share that memory, but the words just won’t come.

So you sit back, nod, and maybe smile, but inside, you’re screaming. It’s not just missing out on the conversation—it’s missing out on being part of the moment. The emotional toll can be crushing. You feel like a spectator in your own life, watching from the sidelines as everyone else takes the spotlight on center stage.

This isolation isn’t just in your head. Studies show that withdrawing from social interaction can lead to a downward spiral of loneliness, anxiety, and even depression.

This can lead to you avoiding social situations altogether, not because you don’t care, but because it’s too painful to be reminded of what you’ve lost. The world starts to feel smaller, darker, and more distant, and it’s all because the ability to speak, to connect, has been stripped away.

How Losing Your Voice Impacts Independence

It’s not just about the social side of things, either. Losing your voice impacts every aspect of your life. Imagine needing to explain a symptom to your doctor, negotiate a bill, or simply order your favorite meal at a restaurant. These are daily interactions most people take for granted, but without speech, they become monumental challenges.

You find yourself relying on others more and more, not because you want to, but because you have to. It’s a blow to your independence, your ability to make decisions, and your sense of control over your own life.

And let’s not forget about the frustration. The frustration of having the words in your head but no way to get them out. It’s like being locked inside a glass box, where you can see everything happening around you, but no one can hear you banging on the walls.

How AAC Apps Provide a Lifeline for People Who Can’t Speak

But it’s not all bad news. Because while losing your voice can be devastating, it doesn’t have to be the end of the conversation. This is where Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) apps come in, and they’re nothing short of a game-changer.

The Benefits of AAC Apps

AAC apps are like a lifeline thrown to someone drowning in silence. These tools give you a way to express your thoughts, your needs, your personality, in a way that’s as close to speaking as you can get without actually using your voice.

Whether you’re chatting with a friend, giving instructions to a caregiver, or making a speech in front of Congress, these apps that talk for you put the power back in your hands.

What make speech impairment apps so special? For one, they’re incredibly versatile:

• Some apps let you create custom phrases that you use often, so you’re not wasting time typing out the same thing over and over.
• Some use predictive text, making it faster to say what you need to say.
• And because these apps are on your phone or tablet, they’re with you wherever you go. You’re not tied to a bulky device—you’ve got your voice right in your pocket.

And the best part? These apps don’t just help you talk. They help you connect. They bridge the gap between silence and conversation, between isolation and interaction.

They let you be part of the world again, on your terms.

Why AAC Apps Are Better Than Silence

Let’s be real for a second: staying silent might seem easier. It might feel like avoiding the frustration of trying to communicate is your best option.

But silence isn’t easier—it’s lonelier. It’s isolating. It’s letting the world move on without you.

An AAC app, on the other hand, keeps you in the conversation. It’s not just about talking; it’s about being heard, about having a presence in the world around you.

Think about it like this: silence is the enemy. It’s the barrier that keeps you locked away from the people and experiences that make life rich and fulfilling.

An AAC app is your weapon to break through that barrier. It’s not just a tool; it’s a means of reclaiming your space, your voice, and your control.

Addressing Common Concerns

Now, maybe you’ve got some doubts. Maybe you’ve heard the arguments against using an AAC app, or maybe you’ve even made them yourself. Let’s take a look at some of the most common concerns.

“It’s Too Complicated”

First up: “It’s too complicated.” You might worry that learning to use an AAC app is like trying to learn a new language.

But here’s the thing—modern AAC apps are designed to be intuitive. They’re not just for tech whizzes or speech pathologists; they’re for you. Most apps are easy to set up, easy to customize, and easy to use. You don’t need to be a tech expert to get started.

Plus, many apps come with tutorials, user support, and communities where you can ask questions and share tips. In other words, you’re not left on your own to figure it out.

“It’s Not the Same as Speaking”

Then there’s the argument, “It’s not the same as speaking.”

And sure, it’s not. But communication isn’t just about the sound of your voice. It’s about the message, the connection, the exchange.

An AAC app gives you the chance to express yourself fully, even if it’s not in the traditional way. It’s still your thoughts, your words, your personality—just delivered differently.

And in many cases, the people you’re communicating with won’t mind how the message comes through. They’re just happy to hear from you.

“I Don’t Need It—Yet”

Finally, there’s the belief stated by many who have slow-progressing conditions that “I don’t need it—yet.”

Maybe you’re holding out, thinking you’ll wait until things get really bad. But here’s the truth: the sooner you start using an AAC app, the more comfortable you’ll be with it when you really need it.

Think of it like learning to drive. You wouldn’t wait until you’re in the middle of a highway to figure out how to steer. You practice first, so when the time comes, you’re ready.

Starting now, even if you don’t need it every day, means you’ll be ahead of the game when you do.

Why APP2Speak Is an Excellent Option

So, you may now be thinking that it sounds like a good idea to check out some AAC apps. But which ones? After all, when it comes to choosing the right AAC app, there are a lot of options out there.

But in my (maybe slightly biased) opinion, one of the best AAC apps for adults is APP2Speak. It’s designed specifically for adults who have lost their ability to speak, making it a great fit for people like you.

So, what makes APP2Speak different?

• It’s incredibly user-friendly.
• You don’t need a degree in technology to get it up and running.
• The interface is simple and clean, making it easy to navigate, even if you’re not tech-savvy.
• Plus, it’s completely customizable. You can set it up to reflect the words and phrases you use most often, making communication quicker and smoother.

Success Stories

Need a little more convincing? In the years since I created APP2Speak, users have shared a number of success stories with us.

One of my favorite stories is that of Bob and Wayne. I was introduced to Bob through a customer service inquiry from his best friend, Wayne.

Wayne had discovered APP2speak after his friend Bob was diagnosed with throat cancer and was told he had to have a laryngectomy and would lose his voice.

Bob asked Wayne to try and find something that would allow him to communicate with his mobile phone once he became speech impaired. He wanted to be able to text his words and have his phone speak them out loud for face-to-face communication.

Wayne searched the web, and APP2speak kept popping up as a great option. He checked out the website and then eventually reached out to me directly for a demonstration.

Bob purchased the app and the two began practicing with each other until he was comfortable using it before his surgery.

The best part about this story is when Bob had his surgery at Tuffs Medical Center in Boston, he woke up from recovery and was able to communicate with the medical staff immediately. The nurses were amazed and had never seen the app before. They took the information down for future patients.

Wayne wrote me later and told me that APP2Speak was truly a life changing tool for Bob.

Reclaiming Your Voice, Reclaiming Your Life

As a Speech Language Pathologist, I work with many patients who have lost their voices, whether it’s due to Parkinson’s, as with Jennifer Wexton, or due to a laryngectomy, like Bob, or for any other reason, such as a stroke or brain trauma.

So I know that it can be really tough. You’ve been living in a world that feels like it’s moving further away, where the simplest interactions can turn into frustrating battles.

Maybe you’re thinking, “Why bother? It’s just easier to stay quiet.” But deep down, you know that silence isn’t what you want. It’s just what you’ve been handed.

But here’s the thing—you’ve still got a lot to say. You’ve got thoughts, opinions, jokes, stories, and memories that deserve to be shared.

But more than that, you’ve got a life to live. A life that’s full of connections, relationships, and moments that make it all worthwhile. And while it might feel like those moments are slipping away, you’ve got the power to grab them back.

Jennifer Wexton didn’t let her situation define her. She stood up—literally—and used the tools available to her to make her voice heard. You can do the same.

Because the truth is, this isn’t just about talking. It’s about being heard. It’s about being seen. It’s about showing the world that you’re still here, still engaged, and still a force to be reckoned with.

You’ve read about the power of AAC apps, and you’ve seen the way they can bring your voice back into the conversation. And now, it’s time to act.

This is your opportunity to take control, to push back against the silence that’s been holding you down. It’s not going to be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. And you’re not doing this alone. With the right tools, like APP2Speak, you’ve got everything you need to reclaim your independence, your interactions, your life.

If you’re ready to take action, don’t spend another day in silence. Reach out for a free demonstration of the app. Start your journey back to connection with APP2Speak.

Take back the control that’s rightfully yours. Because you deserve to be heard—loud and clear.