On the tip of my tongue - talking about Aphasia

Jonathan Hirons's journey following his stroke and diagnosis of aphasia is both inspiring and informative. Here’s a summary of his experience and insights about aphasia:

Jonathan's Experience with Aphasia

1. Initial Incident:

In January 2019, while in a business meeting, Jonathan began to feel strange and soon realized he could not communicate effectively. His colleagues quickly called for medical help.

2. Medical Emergency:

He was rushed to University College Hospital, where scans revealed he had suffered a stroke due to a bleed on the brain. He spent five nights in the hospital and was diagnosed with aphasia.

3. Impact on Daily Life:

- Jonathan struggled with basic tasks such as speaking, reading, and writing.
- He had memory issues, recalling only his postcode but not his full address or other personal information.
- He faced challenges in understanding spoken language but could still sign his name.

4. Support from Family:

His wife, Ann, played a crucial role in his recovery:
- She encouraged him to read aloud daily and used flashcards to aid in word recognition and writing.
- This early intervention was vital for his rehabilitation.

5. Progress Through Therapy:

With the help of speech therapy, Jonathan made significant improvements:
- He regained much of his ability to read and write, although he still experiences difficulties, especially when tired.

6. Advocacy and Awareness:

- Jonathan has turned his experiences into a creative outlet by producing films, including "On the Tip of My Tongue" and "What is Aphasia?" These films aim to educate others about aphasia and its challenges.
- He actively shares his story to raise awareness about aphasia as a hidden disability and the ongoing need for support beyond initial rehabilitation.

Understanding Aphasia

Aphasia is a language disorder that affects communication abilities, including:
- Speaking: Difficulty in forming words or sentences.
- Understanding: Challenges in comprehending spoken or written language.
- Reading and Writing: Problems with reading text or writing coherently.

Key Takeaways

- Aphasia is often a result of brain damage, commonly from strokes, and can significantly impact daily life.
- Early intervention and support are crucial for recovery.
- Awareness and education about aphasia can help reduce stigma and improve support for those affected.

Jonathan's story highlights the resilience of individuals facing such challenges and the importance of community support in their recovery journey.

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On the tip of my tongue - talking about Aphasia

Finding Words: AI and Aphasia

February 09, 2026 • Jonathan Hirons and Rob Edwards • Season 4 • Episode 1

0:00 | 18:52

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In this episode of 'On the Tip of My Tongue,' hosts Rob Edwards and Jonathan Hirons with guest Dr. Abi Roper explore how artificial intelligence can assist people with Aphasia in finding their voices again. The discussion covers the ways AI aids in simplifying text, improving written communication, and developing speech recognition technologies. The episode features Jez Hodgkinson, who created an AI-driven app to help with word-finding and introduces Robert Baldcock, a musician using AI-based personalized voice technology. The conversation highlights both the promise and pitfalls of AI in this field, addressing issues such as AI's limitations in real-time conversations and the need for co-designing tools that are genuinely empowering for users with Aphasia.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:21 Understanding Aphasia and AI's Potential
01:03 Dr. Abi Roper on AI and Aphasia
01:42 AI's Role in Simplifying Text
02:39 Speech Recognition Challenges and Advances
04:48 Jez Hodgkinson's AI App for Word Finding
07:26 Chatbots and Human Conversation
10:41 AI's Limitations and Hallucinations
12:33 Visual Support and Multimodal Communication
14:09 Robert Baldock Personalized Synthetic Voice
17:03 Co-Designing AI Tools with People with Aphasia

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This podcast is funded by https://www.bas.org.uk

To watch Jonathan’s film: https://tipofmytonguefilm.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tipofmytonguefilm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhirons/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tipofmytonguepodcast/

X: http://x.com/buffaloloungeuk

The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia website

http://aphasiatavistocktrust.org