The Disappearance of the Listen Button: A Call for Clarity and Accessibility

Recently, a significant feature within the ChatGPT platform has seemingly vanished: the Listen button. This functionality, which allowed responses to be read aloud, has left many users feeling frustrated, particularly those who rely on it for accessibility reasons.

An Update on the Situation

As of June 3, 2025, there is some encouraging news. Users who have been missing the Read Aloud functionality might find that performing a full refresh on their browser restores the feature. I personally tried this on Chrome, Safari, Opera, and Edge, and to my surprise, the button reappeared across all platforms.

I encourage everyone to check if the Listen button has returned for you as well. Please share your experience in the comments section—did you manage to bring it back, or is it still absent from your interface?

Additional Insights on Accessibility

User Adventurous_Law4405 pointed out that the voice playback feature appears to have been removed from the mobile app, as well. I can confirm this, as I checked my iPhone and found that the option is indeed missing there too.

In light of these developments, I took the initiative to reach out to OpenAI’s Help Center for some clarity. Their response acknowledged the importance of the Listen feature, particularly for users with accessibility needs. However, they stated that the removal was a purposeful product change rather than an oversight and that there has been no official notice regarding its reinstatement.

My Perspective on the Removal

While I appreciate the response from OpenAI, the lack of forewarning about such a significant change feels somewhat neglectful. For those of us who depend on the Listen button for daily tasks—especially individuals facing visual processing challenges—the sudden absence of this tool is not just an inconvenience; it poses real barriers to usability.

Telling users to “use a screen reader” or switch to a mobile platform doesn’t take into account the workflows and preferences of many who utilize the desktop version as their primary interface. The removal of the Listen button represents a regression in accessibility, a troubling reality from a platform that users depend on and financially support.

It’s heartening to know that feedback is being collected, but I sincerely hope it is valued and acted upon.

Join the Conversation

If you’re in a similar position, I urge you to engage in