1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: configuring a system to provide auditory stimulus and act on auditory input; maintaining a plurality of verbal prompting layers for one or more functions supported by the system, each of the verbal prompting layers being associated with an attributable familiarity level of a user and being configured to communicate varying levels of explanatory detail to provide assistance to the user in performing the one or more functions; associating a current verbal prompting layer with the user; initiating a prompt to for the auditory input; receiving the auditory input; identifying a timing event in presentation of the auditory input including one of: a hesitant verbal gesture between a completion of the prompt and a start of the auditory input including one or more of: a failure to respond; nonsubstantive speech; repetition of a verbal command; and a request for assistance; and an interruption of the prompt by the start of a valid auditory input; evaluating the timing event relative to a threshold associated with transitioning to a next verbal prompting layer; when the timing event surpasses a threshold, transitioning the current verbal prompting layer to a next verbal prompting layer; and presenting an audible prompt from the next verbal prompting layer.