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Selecting a Headset Microphone for Personal Use:
Headsets are the most popular microphones for use with Speech Recognition software. If you have a good headset you put it over or behind your head, make a minor adjustment to the microphone element at the end of the boom and forget about it. Headsets with close talk microphone elements work so well because the microphone element stays in a consistent position, usually 1-2 inches from the corner of one’s mouth. You don’t want the microphone element in front of the mouth because it can interpret inhales and exhales as stray words.
Before choosing a headset microphone, you need to ask yourself, “How do I dictate and will the microphone fit into my work environment?” A person who constantly gets out of his or her chair may find taking off and putting on a wired headset a nuisance. This person is a candidate for a handheld, boom held or wireless microphone.
Headset Microphone Wearing Styles:
There are several styles of headset microphones for Speech Recognition. Your first decision should be, “Which style will work best for me.” Most headsets go over the top of the head and have adjustable sliding bands that take into account the size of your head. GN Netcom makes a multiuse headset that can be used as an over the head headband or loop or hook comfortably over one’s ear.
Is it important to have the boom come off the left or right side of your head? If this is the case, ensure the microphone you choose will work on the side of your face you want it to. Some microphones allow the boom to work from either side.
The next consideration, having to do with playing back your voice, is whether to have no earphone, one earphone, or two earphones. If you work in a private office and have external computer speakers this can be a moot point. In a busy office many people require the privacy of playback through an earphone. This is because you can dictate quite softly and your voice will easily blend into the background as if you are speaking on the phone. Playback through external speakers has to be audibly louder than through a headset earphone and may disturb others or cause you to be self-conscious as you listen to your own voice.
Choosing a single earphone seems to be correct for most people. It allows you to monitor conversations and answer the phone on the uncovered ear.
Dual earphone microphones have some advantages as well. They can be a barrier to annoying ambient background noise and concentrate on dictation. The Andrea ANC-750 can be used to listen to music CD’s.
Features:
An adjustable boom is very important. Not only should the boom be adjustable, it should be easy to adjust and stay in place as you use it. A good microphone will have a boom that returns the microphone element to the correct position each time you place it on your head.
If you face frequent interruptions a microphone with an On/mute switch is a must. The On/mute switch is also a convenient way to pause in the middle of dictation to gather your thoughts. The switch should be clearly marked as to which position it is in and should feel comfortable in your hand. Most On/mute switches we’ve tested are perfectly quiet and do not cause extraneous words to appear on screen.
If you travel with your dictation system on a notebook computer, microphone portability is an important factor. You want a microphone that has earphones that turn sideways and the boom folds flat against the headband. Find or purchase a travel case for the headset.
The cable of a good microphone should be at least 6 feet. It should be able to reach your internal soundcard’s input or external USB soundcard.
The biggest problems we see with headset microphones concern shorted out cables. This is often caused by rough handling. This is a preventable complication. Make sure the cable does not get snagged and don’t forget to remove the headset when getting up from your desk.
Copyright © 2003 Martin Markoe.
Martin Markoe
Columnist for Speech Technology Magazine from 1999-2001. Has been involved in the speech recognition field of computers for 10 years.
eMicrophones, Inc.
2772 Evergreen Street
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
914 245-9310 fax
914 245-6328 phone
www.emicrophones.com
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