Inside VoiceYou're not the only one
Lots of people get louder without noticing: when they're excited, deep in a conversation, tired, or in a room that's already loud. Some people with ADHD, and some autistic people, describe it as part of everyday life. It says nothing about manners. Most people just want a quiet heads-up before someone else has to say something.
Why it happens
Your own voice sounds different from inside your head, so it's hard to judge how loud it is to others. When you're excited or focused, your attention goes to what you're saying, not how loudly. And in a noisy room everyone speaks up to be heard, often without noticing. If you also hear less well than you used to, a hearing check can be worth it.
What can help
- A signal you agree on with someone close to you, like a small hand gesture. It works best when you choose it together.
- A moment to check in with yourself, for example at the start of a call or a meal.
- A private cue from your phone that comes on its own, so nobody has to say anything.
- If speaking volume causes you real trouble, a speech-language therapist can help.
How Inside Voice gives you a private cue
Choose a level, start a session and put your iPhone on the table. With AirPods in, only you hear a soft reminder when the room stays above your level for a while, and Apple Watch can add a tap on your wrist. Nothing is recorded, and the sound never leaves your iPhone.
Inside Voice listens to the whole room, not to you alone. It works best at home, at your desk or one to one; in a busy café, it also reacts to everyone around you. Without headphones, the reminder plays out loud for the whole room.
For families
At home, it also works the other way around: the whole room hears the same calm cue, so no one is singled out.
What it isn't
Inside Voice is not a medical device. It doesn't diagnose, treat or monitor any condition, and it isn't a certified sound meter.