However, you wish to hear the audio through your speakers. NOT the headset.

Why does this happen?

During the audio setup procedure while creating your user profile with Dragon, you choose the USB or Bluetooth microphone, which your computer then chooses as default for mic in PLUS audio playback. All PC sounds will now set to play back through the microphone headset. This is not what you desire… at least not all the time.

What do you do?

Switch the audio playback to occur through your speakers, which means that the next time you use Dragon, your playback will be heard from your speakers (if they are on). You will need to actively switch back and forth between headset and speakers depending on your preference at any given time. It may seem like a pain in the backside, but it’s not that bad. As per my training sessions, I strongly encourage listening to playback during certain moments while using Dragon, therefore it is important to have access to audio out while using Dragon (either through your speakers or headset).

So… how do you Switch Your PC’s Audio?

Open your Control Panel (Start> Control Panel).

Click on Sound.

Under the Playback tab you will see an array of devices that will include your soundcard (connected to your speakers), and headset plus potentially other devices. Click your desired device and then Set Default, followed by OK.

I find it very useful to simply add the Sound dialog options directly to my Start menu (right click and drag the Sound icon from the Control Panel over your Start Menu, release and you will see the hover text Pin to Start Menu).

This allows me to change the playback device on the fly from the Start Menu.

You may also wish to create a Dragon command that switches the playback device by voice as well.

Don’t forget that even if you set the audio playback to occur through your soundcard/speakers, that you will still need to control the volume (as well as whether audio is off or on) via the speakers.

PC Volume Levels

If you feel that your audio output levels are not high enough or loud enough for you, these are adjustments made on your computer (not in Dragon). Enter your Sound dialog box per above, click on the device in the list and then Properties> Level.

Adjust the levels here. OR, you may click the audio icon in the hidden or lower icon task tray, adjusting the volume there.

In Closing

If you are a Speakeasy Solutions client who has received a speech recognition solution package (Dragon, microphone, installation, training & support), and wish such a voice command that allows you to switch between audio devices, please contact me and I’ll be happy to provide you with this custom command gratis.

10% off until the end of September 2010!

Long-time clients of Speakeasy Solutions know that I fervently test new microphone technologies at any given opportunity. They also know that as a serious user of Dragon, I demand the highest performance possible from microphones because the most superior quality will provide the highest recognition accuracy (which, in turn, results in the highest performance of Dragon possible, making our lives easier).

I have been testing wireless microphones since they first emerged on the market a number of years ago. None passed my stringent tests until the Sennheiser BW900. The issue with the BW900 was that it did not allow the user to seamlessly switch between phone and PC – a feature that quite a number of clients desired. The Zoom switch allowed such switching in some cases, but not all.

I continued testing other Bluetooth microphones, some even with DECT, and while the Jabra 9470 came close, like most Jabra units, they suffer under noisy conditions. The less said about some of the other headset Bluetooth microphones available the better.

However, after a lengthy period of wait and see (and Sennheiser really does know how to draw out their R&D process), Sennheiser has gifted us with their new wireless: The DW Office, a Bluetooth DECT microphone. I haven’t been this excited about a new microphone since the BW900, and comparatively, I’m even more excited about the DW Office. Here is why:

• Earpiece can be used as just an earpiece (if you prefer to NOT use a headband) or quickly slipped into a headband (which is included and not extra).
• Microphone snaps onto the base station firmly and without question, recharging 50% of its capacity (4 hours) in 20 minutes.
• No need for additional backup batteries with its 8 hours of continuous use talk time before requiring a recharge.
• Easy to switch between telephone and PC (phone call and Dragon) with a simple touch.
• Superior noise-cancelling microphone we’ve all come to enjoy from Sennheiser products, allowing you to work in noisy environments without adversely affecting your dictation or phone calls (I personally can’t wait to try this on the tradeshow floor).
• And for those who like to wander, you have about 50 m to do so and still be in range.

Of course the recognition accuracy you can achieve with the DW Office in Dragon is outstanding. No dropped signals, no disruption of clarity and no hindrances as a result of poor microphone technology. This is the most astounding wireless I’ve tested to date.

As such, we will be swapping out our office’s existing Sennheiser BW900s (with zoom switch for phone-PC switching) for the new Sennheiser DW Office. If anyone is interested in a couple of well cared for, refurbished BW900 PC-phone kits, please contact us (604-264-9109) for special pricing on these units.

And if you are in need of the latest and greatest wireless technology for phone and PC (or just Dragon), also contact us for placing an order for the new Sennheiser DW Office (we are offering a 10% discount until the end of September). We will be happy to spread this great new technology far and wide!

Please also see this direct link to our website’s Wireless page, featuring the Sennheiser DW Office.

I’ve been somewhat fanatic about microphone testing for over 12 years now, intent on always using the best currently available.

Why?

A quality microphone truly can make all the difference with speech recognition accuracy. Yes, there are other factors such as:

• how you articulate,
• how effectively you set up Dragon’s options and
• how you use the accuracy functions within the software (some are effective and some are downright disruptive, in fact).

However, one of the integral aspects to effective speech recognition is using a quality microphone. In addition to quality, it must be easy to use. Too many buttons or a cumbersome setup can lead to unsatisfactory results. Comfort should also be a consideration, which segues into another important factor…

Your Workflow

The microphone or input must adapt to your workflow. I’ve always maintained that technology adoption is most effective when the technology can adapt to the user rather than the other way around. While Dragon is not a simple program to learn (although well worth the time and effort spent in learning), its use should integrate with how we work, and the microphone is an essential component to this.

Doctors & Lawyers

Generally speaking, doctors and lawyers use computer technology and speech recognition differently.

Doctors tend to use computers primarily for charting (whether it’s into an Electronic Medical Record application or a text editor such as MS Word), writing lengthy reports such as medical legals and possibly for writing correspondence, usually via email. Unless the medical practitioner enjoys computers as a hobby, they tend to not sit in front of one any longer than they have to. Moreover, it was not that long ago that doctors never needed to touch a computer. Only with the recent demands of EMR use have they found themselves in front of a computer.

Lawyers spend more and more time in front of the computer, entering billing, numerous email communications, and of course creating contracts, briefs, and numerous legal documents. Secretaries seldom transcribe and send a lawyer’s email via an audio recording any longer. Lawyers are driven to be more independent in their text creation, and like doctors, don’t want to type.

Speech Recognition is the Way

I, personally, type over 100 words per minute, but it is much faster for me to use voice than to hand type. I discovered this quite painfully years ago when I came down with laryngitis and had to type my email. What a laborious process! But I digress.

If you spend any time on the computer and need to create text as well as perform repetitious tasks, then speech recognition will do more than assist you — it will change the way you work… for the better. But it can only do this with a truly effective solution and the right microphone input is one of the keys.

So let’s discuss all the options:

Microphone vs Digital Voice Recorder

Microphones are useful if you are in front of the computer. Hands down, this is the most effective way to convert voice into text. The advantage is that you can dictate in front of your PC, watch in real time as your voice is converted to text and immediately make any edits necessary. This greatly diminishes the former continuous editing-proofreading cycle between dictator and typist.

Digital voice recorders are useful if you are out of the office, away from a computer. It’s your only reasonable choice. Digital audio files can be sent via email, FTP or downloaded once back in the office. Dragon can automatically transcribe the audio files, producing text documents or another party can guide Dragon through the transcription. Proofreading is a must in both scenarios and can be performed by an assistant.

Bottom line: a quality microphone and digital voice recorder should yield the same recognition accuracy provided that dictation into a digital voice recorder is being performed in a reasonable environment (dictating while jogging is likely not conducive to accurate results). Which one you choose depends on where you spend the majority of your time, and yes, you can use both types of devices.

Microphone Headset vs Handheld

While it’s understandable that many do not like to strap a device to their head, the truth is that a microphone headset will settle into position and remain there unless jarred out of position. Consistent and proper microphone placement is also essential, and a headset is easier than a handheld to maintain this positioning.

However, a headset can be inconvenient to the physician who needs to perform only short bursts of dictation between patients. Moreover, some dictators have been accustomed to holding a handheld device for years, so they will adapt to a microphone handheld very quickly and effectively. Handhelds can also provide you with easy-access buttons to perform computer functions especially as they relate to speech recognition (these functions can also be performed by voice or keyboard for headset users).

Legal practitioners, on the other hand, welcome being hands free while dictating so that they can physically review notes and resources with their hands while they dictate. This makes quoting from other sources a breeze.

Bottom line: if you need to be hands free, use a headset. If you perform shorter bursts of dictation or do not need to be hands free and enjoy a handheld, then use a handheld.

Wired vs Wireless

There has been much to-do about Bluetooth and wireless over the past few years. I have been tirelessly testing wireless microphones all this time and have been grossly disappointed. Wireless is not all created equal, and most of what is on the market uses a technology that suffers from drop-outs rather than continuous transference of speech. Dragon only does what it is told so if it does not hear complete words or phrases, accuracy will be severely hampered.

Quality wireless solutions will cost about twice the price of a wired solution. The benefits, however, for some, are enormous. For the physician who needs to be mobile in the exam room or the lawyer who spreads case files and materials across several desks, wireless is essential. DECT and Bluetooth® Class 1, version 1.2 coupled with a quality microphone element and means to process and transfer your voice are key.

Bottom line: if you need wireless, and do not mind paying twice the price of a wired microphone, then one of few currently available quality wireless microphones will be essential. If you do not need wireless, then a quality wired microphone will be more than adequate for your needs.

Telephony — the other consideration

If you spend about as much time on the telephone as you do on the computer, consider a phone-PC switch and capable microphone solution. You will be more productive and comfortable if you can dictate to the PC and speak on the telephone with the same microphone.

In Closing

The choice of microphones is a personal one and it should adapt to your needs. If you have specific questions or would like guidance in choosing your perfect microphone, or if you would like to order one, contact myself, Alexandria, at 604-264-9109 ext. 102.

Wireless handheld microphone dictation

Perfect for medical practitioners or anyone else who enjoys the use of a handheld microphone (instead of a headset) with the flexibility of being able to dictate without being tethered to the computer.

Delivering almost as accurate recognition accuracy with Dragon as its wired counterpart, the Philips SpeechMike Air is a unique and well thought out product that may very well change the way you operate.

The first of its kind, this wireless handheld is ergonomic, very comfortable and fits well in the hand. Buttons are easily accessible, with sufficient definition to differentiate them by touch.

If you need to dictate a report from a distance, or enjoy pacing or walking as you talk, the bluetooth SpeechMike Air will be a considerable benefit.

Some relevant features include:

• Rechargeable batteries provide approximately 2.5 hours of dictation time between charges.
• AirPort docking/recharging station connects via USB.
• Portable receiver module allows you to take your SpeechMike Air on the go and travel light (without requiring the AirPort docking station).

Please download this SpeechMike Air PDF document for more information.

Contact Speakeasy Solutions if you would like to place an order.

Speakeasy Solutions also offers clients for whom they provide and install a SpeechMike and Dragon an optimized configuration file for the Philips Device Control Settings software, specifically for use with Dragon. Speakeasy Solutions will also make available a brief PDF document outlining these settings with extra tips for optimizing your use with Dragon, EMRs (Electronic Medical Records) and other software applications. If you are a client of Speakeasy Solutions and do not have the latest Philips Device Control application (version 2.5.21) or the aforementioned configuration file and documentation, contact us immediately.