I don't think I've ever tried reading without hearing or imagining the sound. It's a necessary intermediate step towards creating the image.

But I think in concepts. When I think hard or am developing a new concept, you will see me struggling to visualize things, using my hands to manipulate imaginary physical manisfestations of them. But I can reverse the process of converting words into concepts and tell you of them. Check the links in my sig. (Product Placement!)