I don't think removing filler words reduces your ability to communicate effectively but it does make for more eloquent speech. I'm a stammerer and I'm part of

I don't think removing filler words reduces your ability to communicate effectively but it does make for more eloquent speech. I'm a stammerer and I'm part of a speech therapy programme. One of the many techniques they teach us is to speak slower and remove filler words as they are often used by stammers to fill the silence when they can't get a word out. When listening to a talk or lecture I do really notice if the speaker is using fill words and it kind of distracts me from the subject they are talking about.