Why Are There Voices in Your Head When Reading? This is the answer

LONDON – Subvocalization , or “silent reading,” is indeed a common phenomenon in which we “hear” voices in our heads while reading. This voice can be like our own voice, or it can be different, depending on what we read.

As reported by IFL Science, although subvocalization helps comprehension, some people claim that it can hinder reading speed. The question is: is that true?

Slowing Down the Speed: Basically, subvocalization is like adding an extra step in the reading process. The brain must process words visually, then translate them into internal sounds, and only then understand their meaning. This certainly takes longer than reading without subvocalization.

Reduced Reading Capacity: Subvocalization can also limit the amount of information you can process in a single reading. When you focus on internal sounds, you are unable to fully process visual information.

Some people have succeeded in increasing their reading speed by training themselves to read without subvocalization.

This technique trains your eyes to move more quickly across the page and absorb information in larger groups of words, rather than word by word.

This technique focuses on understanding the main ideas of the text quickly, without reading each word in detail.

Training your eyes to focus on larger areas of the page can help you process more information at once.
The Importance of Finding Balance:

Keep in mind that subvocalization is not always bad. For some people, this helps them to focus better and understand the text better.