diff --git a/Conjuga/Conjuga/Services/PronunciationService.swift b/Conjuga/Conjuga/Services/PronunciationService.swift
index 1c42b3e..3b81039 100644
--- a/Conjuga/Conjuga/Services/PronunciationService.swift
+++ b/Conjuga/Conjuga/Services/PronunciationService.swift
@@ -16,19 +16,29 @@ final class PronunciationService {
     private var recognizerResolved = false
 
     func requestAuthorization() {
-        // SFSpeechRecognizer.requestAuthorization crashes on simulators
-        // without speech services. Check availability first.
-        guard SFSpeechRecognizer.self != nil else { return }
-
         #if targetEnvironment(simulator)
         print("[PronunciationService] skipping speech auth on simulator")
-        isAuthorized = false
+        return
         #else
-        print("[PronunciationService] requesting speech authorization...")
-        SFSpeechRecognizer.requestAuthorization { [weak self] status in
-            print("[PronunciationService] authorization status: \(status.rawValue)")
-            Task { @MainActor in
-                self?.isAuthorized = (status == .authorized)
+        // Check current status first to avoid unnecessary prompt
+        let currentStatus = SFSpeechRecognizer.authorizationStatus()
+        if currentStatus == .authorized {
+            isAuthorized = true
+            return
+        }
+        if currentStatus == .denied || currentStatus == .restricted {
+            isAuthorized = false
+            return
+        }
+
+        // Only request if not determined yet — do it on a background queue
+        // to avoid blocking main thread, then update state on main
+        DispatchQueue.global(qos: .userInitiated).async {
+            SFSpeechRecognizer.requestAuthorization { status in
+                DispatchQueue.main.async { [weak self] in
+                    self?.isAuthorized = (status == .authorized)
+                    print("[PronunciationService] authorization status: \(status.rawValue)")
+                }
             }
         }
         #endif