diff --git a/backend/gradio_webrtc/speech_to_text/stt_.py b/backend/gradio_webrtc/speech_to_text/stt_.py
index 9987e2b..6b2f696 100644
--- a/backend/gradio_webrtc/speech_to_text/stt_.py
+++ b/backend/gradio_webrtc/speech_to_text/stt_.py
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ from typing import Callable
 
 import numpy as np
 from numpy.typing import NDArray
-from silero import silero_stt
 
 from ..utils import AudioChunk
 
@@ -17,6 +16,8 @@ class STTModel:
 
 @lru_cache
 def get_stt_model() -> STTModel:
+    from silero import silero_stt
+
     model, decoder, _ = silero_stt(language="en", version="v6", jit_model="jit_xlarge")
     return STTModel(model, decoder)
 
diff --git a/backend/gradio_webrtc/webrtc.py b/backend/gradio_webrtc/webrtc.py
index 6cabbac..bbd6674 100644
--- a/backend/gradio_webrtc/webrtc.py
+++ b/backend/gradio_webrtc/webrtc.py
@@ -533,6 +533,9 @@ class WebRTC(Component):
         mode: Literal["send-receive", "receive", "send"] = "send-receive",
         modality: Literal["video", "audio"] = "video",
         rtp_params: dict[str, Any] | None = None,
+        icon: str | None = None,
+        icon_button_color: str | None = None,
+        pulse_color: str | None = None,
     ):
         """
         Parameters:
@@ -560,6 +563,9 @@ class WebRTC(Component):
             mode: WebRTC mode - "send-receive", "receive", or "send".
             modality: Type of media - "video" or "audio".
             rtp_params: See https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/RTCRtpSender/setParameters. If you are changing the video resolution, you can set this to {"degradationPreference": "maintain-framerate"} to keep the frame rate consistent.
+            icon: Icon to display on the button instead of the wave animation. The icon should be a path/url to a .svg/.png/.jpeg file.
+            icon_button_color: Color of the icon button. Default is var(--color-accent) of the demo theme.
+            pulse_color: Color of the pulse animation. Default is var(--color-accent) of the demo theme.
         """
         self.time_limit = time_limit
         self.height = height
@@ -569,6 +575,8 @@ class WebRTC(Component):
         self.rtc_configuration = rtc_configuration
         self.mode = mode
         self.modality = modality
+        self.icon_button_color = icon_button_color
+        self.pulse_color = pulse_color
         self.rtp_params = rtp_params or {}
         if track_constraints is None and modality == "audio":
             track_constraints = {
@@ -604,6 +612,10 @@ class WebRTC(Component):
             key=key,
             value=value,
         )
+        # need to do this here otherwise the proxy_url is not set
+        self.icon = (
+            icon if not icon else cast(dict, self.serve_static_file(icon)).get("url")
+        )
 
     def set_additional_outputs(
         self, webrtc_id: str
diff --git a/docs/advanced-configuration.md b/docs/advanced-configuration.md
index ac4fd53..87ee406 100644
--- a/docs/advanced-configuration.md
+++ b/docs/advanced-configuration.md
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ webrtc = WebRTC(track_constraints=track_constraints,
     )
     ```
 
-
 ## The RTC Configuration
 
 You can configure how the connection is created on the client by passing an `rtc_configuration` parameter to the `WebRTC` component constructor.
@@ -108,4 +107,37 @@ demo.launch()
 !!! tip
 
     In general it is best to leave these settings untouched. In some cases,
-    lowering the output_frame_size can yield smoother audio playback.
\ No newline at end of file
+    lowering the output_frame_size can yield smoother audio playback.
+
+
+## Audio Icon
+
+You can display an icon of your choice instead of the default wave animation for audio streaming.
+Pass any local path or url to an image (svg, png, jpeg) to the components `icon` parameter. This will display the icon as a circular button. When audio is sent or recevied (depending on the `mode` parameter) a pulse animation will emanate from the button.
+
+You can control the button color and pulse color with `icon_button_color` and `pulse_color` parameters. They can take any valid css color.
+
+=== "Code"
+    ``` python
+    audio = WebRTC(
+        label="Stream",
+        rtc_configuration=rtc_configuration,
+        mode="receive",
+        modality="audio",
+        icon="phone-solid.svg",
+    )
+    ```
+    <img src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/fd2e70a3-1698-4805-a8cb-9b7b3bcf2198">
+=== "Code Custom colors"
+    ``` python
+    audio = WebRTC(
+        label="Stream",
+        rtc_configuration=rtc_configuration,
+        mode="receive",
+        modality="audio",
+        icon="phone-solid.svg",
+        icon_button_color="black",
+        pulse_color="black",
+    )
+    ```
+    <img src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/39e9bb0b-53fb-448e-be44-d37f6785b4b6">
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/frontend/Index.svelte b/frontend/Index.svelte
index 50499e0..6a20159 100644
--- a/frontend/Index.svelte
+++ b/frontend/Index.svelte
@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@
 	export let mode: "send-receive" | "receive" | "send" = "send-receive";
 	export let rtp_params: RTCRtpParameters = {} as RTCRtpParameters;
 	export let track_constraints: MediaTrackConstraints = {};
+	export let icon: string | undefined = undefined;
+	export let icon_button_color: string = "var(--color-accent)";
+	export let pulse_color: string = "var(--color-accent)";
 
 	const on_change_cb = (msg: "change" | "tick") => {
 		gradio.dispatch(msg === "change" ? "state_change" : "tick");
@@ -84,6 +87,9 @@
 			{show_label}
 			{server}
 			{rtc_configuration}
+			{icon}
+			{icon_button_color}
+			{pulse_color}
 			i18n={gradio.i18n}
 			on:tick={() => gradio.dispatch("tick")}
 			on:error={({ detail }) => gradio.dispatch("error", detail)}
@@ -130,6 +136,9 @@
 			{mode}
 			{rtp_params}
 			i18n={gradio.i18n}
+			{icon}
+			{icon_button_color}
+			{pulse_color}
 			on:tick={() => gradio.dispatch("tick")}
 			on:error={({ detail }) => gradio.dispatch("error", detail)}
 		/>
diff --git a/frontend/shared/AudioWave.svelte b/frontend/shared/AudioWave.svelte
index 465370b..2464ef1 100644
--- a/frontend/shared/AudioWave.svelte
+++ b/frontend/shared/AudioWave.svelte
@@ -1,85 +1,179 @@
 <script lang="ts">
-    import { onMount, onDestroy } from 'svelte';
-  
-    export let numBars = 16;
-    export let stream_state: "open" | "closed" | "waiting" = "closed";
-    export let audio_source_callback: () => MediaStream;
-  
-    let audioContext: AudioContext;
-    let analyser: AnalyserNode;
-    let dataArray: Uint8Array;
-    let animationId: number;
-  
-    $: containerWidth = `calc((var(--boxSize) + var(--gutter)) * ${numBars})`;
+  import { onDestroy } from 'svelte';
 
-    $: if(stream_state === "open") setupAudioContext()
-  
-    onDestroy(() => {
-      if (animationId) {
-        cancelAnimationFrame(animationId);
-      }
-      if (audioContext) {
-        audioContext.close();
-      }
-    });
-  
-    function setupAudioContext() {
-      audioContext = new (window.AudioContext || window.webkitAudioContext)();
-      analyser = audioContext.createAnalyser();
-      const source = audioContext.createMediaStreamSource(audio_source_callback());
-      
-      // Only connect to analyser, not to destination
-      source.connect(analyser);
-      
-      // Configure analyser
-      analyser.fftSize = 64;
-      analyser.smoothingTimeConstant = 0.8; // Add smoothing to make visualization less jittery
-      dataArray = new Uint8Array(analyser.frequencyBinCount);
-  
-      updateBars();
+  export let numBars = 16;
+  export let stream_state: "open" | "closed" | "waiting" = "closed";
+  export let audio_source_callback: () => MediaStream;
+  export let icon: string | undefined = undefined;
+  export let icon_button_color: string = "var(--color-accent)";
+  export let pulse_color: string = "var(--color-accent)";
+
+  let audioContext: AudioContext;
+  let analyser: AnalyserNode;
+  let dataArray: Uint8Array;
+  let animationId: number;
+  let pulseScale = 1;
+  let pulseIntensity = 0;
+
+  $: containerWidth = icon 
+    ? "128px"
+    : `calc((var(--boxSize) + var(--gutter)) * ${numBars})`;
+
+  $: if(stream_state === "open") setupAudioContext();
+
+  onDestroy(() => {
+    if (animationId) {
+      cancelAnimationFrame(animationId);
     }
-  
-    function updateBars() {
-      analyser.getByteFrequencyData(dataArray);
+    if (audioContext) {
+      audioContext.close();
+    }
+  });
+
+  function setupAudioContext() {
+    audioContext = new (window.AudioContext || window.webkitAudioContext)();
+    analyser = audioContext.createAnalyser();
+    const source = audioContext.createMediaStreamSource(audio_source_callback());
+    
+    source.connect(analyser);
+    
+    analyser.fftSize = 64;
+    analyser.smoothingTimeConstant = 0.8;
+    dataArray = new Uint8Array(analyser.frequencyBinCount);
+
+    updateVisualization();
+  }
+
+  function updateVisualization() {
+    analyser.getByteFrequencyData(dataArray);
+    
+    if (icon) {
+      // Calculate average amplitude for pulse effect
+      const average = Array.from(dataArray).reduce((a, b) => a + b, 0) / dataArray.length;
+      const normalizedAverage = average / 255;
+      pulseScale = 1 + (normalizedAverage * 0.15);
+      pulseIntensity = normalizedAverage;
+    } else {
+      // Update bars
       const bars = document.querySelectorAll('.gradio-webrtc-waveContainer .gradio-webrtc-box');
       for (let i = 0; i < bars.length; i++) {
-        const barHeight = (dataArray[i] / 255) * 2; // Amplify the effect
+        const barHeight = (dataArray[i] / 255) * 2;
         bars[i].style.transform = `scaleY(${Math.max(0.1, barHeight)})`;
       }
-  
-      animationId = requestAnimationFrame(updateBars);
     }
+
+    animationId = requestAnimationFrame(updateVisualization);
+  }
 </script>
-  
+
 <div class="gradio-webrtc-waveContainer">
+{#if icon}
+  <div class="gradio-webrtc-icon-container">
+    {#if pulseIntensity > 0}
+      {#each Array(3) as _, i}
+        <div 
+          class="pulse-ring"
+          style:background={pulse_color}
+          style:animation-delay={`${i * 0.4}s`}
+        />
+      {/each}
+    {/if}
+    
+    <div 
+      class="gradio-webrtc-icon" 
+      style:transform={`scale(${pulseScale})`}
+      style:background={icon_button_color}
+    >
+      <img 
+        src={icon} 
+        alt="Audio visualization icon"
+        class="icon-image"
+      />
+    </div>
+  </div>
+{:else}
   <div class="gradio-webrtc-boxContainer" style:width={containerWidth}>
     {#each Array(numBars) as _}
       <div class="gradio-webrtc-box"></div>
     {/each}
   </div>
+{/if}
 </div>
-  
+
 <style>
-  .gradio-webrtc-waveContainer {
-    position: relative;
-    display: flex;
-    min-height: 100px;
-    max-height: 128px;
-  }
+.gradio-webrtc-waveContainer {
+  position: relative;
+  display: flex;
+  min-height: 100px;
+  max-height: 128px;
+  justify-content: center;
+  align-items: center;
+}
 
-  .gradio-webrtc-boxContainer {
-    display: flex;
-    justify-content: space-between;
-    height: 64px;
-    --boxSize: 8px;
-    --gutter: 4px;
-  }
+.gradio-webrtc-boxContainer {
+  display: flex;
+  justify-content: space-between;
+  height: 64px;
+  --boxSize: 8px;
+  --gutter: 4px;
+}
 
-  .gradio-webrtc-box {
-    height: 100%;
-    width: var(--boxSize);
-    background: var(--color-accent);
-    border-radius: 8px;
-    transition: transform 0.05s ease;
+.gradio-webrtc-box {
+  height: 100%;
+  width: var(--boxSize);
+  background: var(--color-accent);
+  border-radius: 8px;
+  transition: transform 0.05s ease;
+}
+
+.gradio-webrtc-icon-container {
+  position: relative;
+  width: 128px;
+  height: 128px;
+  display: flex;
+  justify-content: center;
+  align-items: center;
+}
+
+.gradio-webrtc-icon {
+  position: relative;
+  width: 48px;
+  height: 48px;
+  border-radius: 50%;
+  transition: transform 0.1s ease;
+  display: flex;
+  justify-content: center;
+  align-items: center;
+  z-index: 2;
+}
+
+.icon-image {
+  width: 32px;
+  height: 32px;
+  object-fit: contain;
+  filter: brightness(0) invert(1);
+}
+
+.pulse-ring {
+  position: absolute;
+  top: 50%;
+  left: 50%;
+  transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
+  width: 48px;
+  height: 48px;
+  border-radius: 50%;
+  animation: pulse 2s cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.6, 1) infinite;
+  opacity: 0.5;
+}
+
+@keyframes pulse {
+  0% {
+    transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(1);
+    opacity: 0.5;
   }
+  100% {
+    transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(3);
+    opacity: 0;
+  }
+}
 </style>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/frontend/shared/InteractiveAudio.svelte b/frontend/shared/InteractiveAudio.svelte
index 15e7d8e..dc852ed 100644
--- a/frontend/shared/InteractiveAudio.svelte
+++ b/frontend/shared/InteractiveAudio.svelte
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@
     export let track_constraints: MediaTrackConstraints = {};
     export let rtp_params: RTCRtpParameters = {} as RTCRtpParameters;
     export let on_change_cb: (mg: "tick" | "change") => void;
+    export let icon: string | undefined = undefined;
+    export let icon_button_color: string = "var(--color-accent)";
+    export let pulse_color: string = "var(--color-accent)";
 
     let stopword_recognized = false;
 
@@ -240,7 +243,7 @@
             <WebcamPermissions icon={Microphone} on:click={async () => access_mic()} />
         </div>
     {:else}
-        <AudioWave {audio_source_callback} {stream_state}/>
+        <AudioWave {audio_source_callback} {stream_state} {icon} {icon_button_color} {pulse_color}/>
         <StreamingBar time_limit={_time_limit} />
         <div class="button-wrap" class:pulse={stopword_recognized}>
             <button
diff --git a/frontend/shared/StaticAudio.svelte b/frontend/shared/StaticAudio.svelte
index 7d9b4e5..730e2a6 100644
--- a/frontend/shared/StaticAudio.svelte
+++ b/frontend/shared/StaticAudio.svelte
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@
     export let rtc_configuration: Object | null = null;
     export let i18n: I18nFormatter;
     export let on_change_cb: (msg: "change" | "tick") => void;
+    export let icon: string | undefined = undefined;
+    export let icon_button_color: string = "var(--color-accent)";
+    export let pulse_color: string = "var(--color-accent)";
     
     export let server: {
         offer: (body: any) => Promise<any>;
@@ -103,7 +106,7 @@
 />
 {#if value !== "__webrtc_value__"}
     <div class="audio-container">
-    <AudioWave audio_source_callback={() => audio_player.srcObject} {stream_state}/>
+    <AudioWave audio_source_callback={() => audio_player.srcObject} {stream_state} {icon} {icon_button_color} {pulse_color}/>
     </div>  
 {/if}
 {#if value === "__webrtc_value__"}
diff --git a/frontend/shared/webrtc_utils.ts b/frontend/shared/webrtc_utils.ts
index 75b7f70..d784699 100644
--- a/frontend/shared/webrtc_utils.ts
+++ b/frontend/shared/webrtc_utils.ts
@@ -64,7 +64,11 @@ export async function start(
 
   data_channel.onmessage = (event) => {
     console.debug("Received message:", event.data);
-    if (event.data === "change" || event.data === "tick" || event.data === "stopword") {
+    if (
+      event.data === "change" ||
+      event.data === "tick" ||
+      event.data === "stopword"
+    ) {
       console.debug(`${event.data} event received`);
       on_change_cb(event.data);
     }
@@ -76,7 +80,7 @@ export async function start(
       const sender = pc.addTrack(track, stream);
       const params = sender.getParameters();
       const updated_params = { ...params, ...rtp_params };
-      await sender.setParameters(updated_params)
+      await sender.setParameters(updated_params);
       console.debug("sender params", sender.getParameters());
     });
   } else {