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Single ear headset and microphone to dictate
Does anyone here use a single earpiece with microphone to dictate, so you can activate speech with a hotkey but have your hands on your mouse and Keyboard at all time.
Looking for such a solution that works well with speech technology and is compatible with glasses. A full headset is less of an option for me as we get interrupted a lot with questions by techs and I want one ear free to pick up what theyre saying properly as well as have a wireless option so I can get up and go to the CT console in a heartbeat (we get asked to come and review studies at the console at least once, but sometimes up to 3 times while reporting a single study…) .Thanks in advance for any useful input!
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25 Replies
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A table mic is another option.
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Yes. I use a single ear with mic attached on my home rig.
I very much prefer it
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Could you specify what brand and product youre using? Asked our IT department what would work well, but they got no further than maybe ask around amongst colleagues elsewhere…
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Plantronics Savi W445. Super light weight, works with powerscribe. I still use the powermic for start/stop dictation and the buttons, so my hand never touches the keyboard.
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I’ve tried all sorts of equipment through the years. I personally prefer a table top microphone (generally USB) with a hotkey to activate dictation and turn it off–programmable on a mouse or other input device if needed. Some voice systems will use a F key to turn dictate on and off, and a different F key to mark dictated.
If you prefer a headset, I’d look for one that also has USB, and foam ear piece rather than leather. Leather sometimes makes you sweat or sticks to the skin. Amazon has a host of them–I like the [link=https://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-Blackwire-USB-C-Headset-Wired/dp/B0775K15F4/ref=asc_df_B0775K15F4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=385252430366&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1144008360817427313&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007386&hvtargid=pla-562668596580&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=77667860799&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=385252430366&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1144008360817427313&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007386&hvtargid=pla-562668596580]Plantronics[/link] products but single ear are getting few and far between. Some of them will have an audio input non USB device so you can plug it into the PC through the normal audio jack, or get a USB adapter ([link=https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Labs-70SB173000000-Sound-Blaster/dp/B06XBZ38ZJ/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2HKYNRCA16MQJ&dchild=1&keywords=creative+external+sound+card&qid=1604268893&sprefix=creative+extern%2Chpc%2C162&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzMjdSUTlJUEFORTFKJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTQwMzE3MlMxVlZETlZFNlc0QiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDA3OTcxSERFMFZMWUFMNTlBJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==]Soundblaster/Creative external soundcard[/link]).
Links are there. I get no kickbacks, and linked to amazon as it is easiest, but local stores that have good products include MicroCenter depending where you live, sometimes Best Buy or Staples.-
So just my view.
Head mic at a hospital makes you look like a telemarketer, and act like one. Might as well be working remotely.
At home; whatever.
Table mics with macros etc good choice for anywhere, but nor headphones.
Overall, there is a subset of remote readers on am who have unrealistic expectations. At a hospital you need to be accessible. Oblivious headphones are the road to perdition.
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FWIW, a full headset has no impact on my ability to hear and respond to the world around me…it’s not like these are noise-canceling units.
I like having a headset with a mic right near my mouth; diminishes the impact of other noises in the area with me.
Plus, if you use VOIP such that phone-calls are routed through your workstation, you can answer a phone with almost no physical movement at all. -
Quote from boomer
So just my view.
Head mic at a hospital makes you look like a telemarketer, and act like one. Might as well be working remotely.
At home; whatever.
Table mics with macros etc good choice for anywhere, but nor headphones.Overall, there is a subset of remote readers on am who have unrealistic expectations. At a hospital you need to be accessible. Oblivious headphones are the road to perdition.
I disagree with you. I personally don’t like having microphone headsets because then I am tethered, always with something coming from head (the wire) but I don’t think it makes anyone inaccessible. A headset is way lighter to carry around if you move workstations than a heavier thicker table top microphone.
But really, I think it’s personal choice.
In terms of single ear vs. double ear headsets–I find answering the phone (yes, the desktop landline phone) is easier when one of the ears isn’t covered so you don’t have to constantly maneuver the ear piece. The idea of routing the call to the headset doesn’t exist at my institution.-
[Deleted by Admin]
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Several years ago I developed a pretty bad ulnar neuropathy from holding a SpeechMic all day. I started experimenting with gaming headphones, and then single ear headsets. They worked fine, but I didn’t like having them on my head all day and I also didn’t like being tethered to the workstation.
I tried out using a desktop mic and really liked it. Since then I, and many of the radiologists in my group, have switched to “Blue Snowball” desktop microphones for our VR. They are usb, compatible with Powerscribe and Talk, and do really an excellent job in recognition.
I’ve never actually used hotkeys for the VR program. When using the desktop mics for voice, the VR mic buttons remain active (as long as you leave it plugged in) and you can use them to activate dictation, tab through report, sign off, etc.
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Quote from torsedappendage
Several years ago I developed a pretty bad ulnar neuropathy from holding a SpeechMic all day. I started experimenting with gaming headphones, and then single ear headsets. They worked fine, but I didn’t like having them on my head all day and I also didn’t like being tethered to the workstation.
I tried out using a desktop mic and really liked it. Since then I, and many of the radiologists in my group, have switched to “Blue Snowball” desktop microphones for our VR. They are usb, compatible with Powerscribe and Talk, and do really an excellent job in recognition.
I’ve never actually used hotkeys for the VR program. When using the desktop mics for voice, the VR mic buttons remain active (as long as you leave it plugged in) and you can use them to activate dictation, tab through report, sign off, etc.
“I tried out using a desktop mic and really liked it.”
^^ Me too.
I recommend Speechware. Pricey; but not really when you think of the time we spend with our dear microphone.
Read some positive reviews on the snowball mics previously.
The engineering of the Speechware is so elegant. I’m glad I got it.-
The word you’re looking for is “monaural”
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With powerscribe, I am having trouble initiating the start dictation when trying to use the F4 shortcut on the keyboard or when I assign a button of my mouse to F4. When I open a study it will default to the PACS so that when I press F4 it does the command as if I were on the PACS. I need to manually click on powerscribe and have it as my active window for the F4 shortcut to work and start my dictation. Does anyone know of a workaround? Like how it is with the nuance powermic where even when the powerscribe application is in the background, when you press the start dictation button on the mic, it will work because its somehow linked to the application.
The same issue applies to other keyboard shortcuts from powerscribe.
Do headsets or other button device have this similar problem?-
Need to get your IT or someone who can make you a script with autoIT or something similar. I use a yeti with a shuttlepro and a bunch of macros so I dont have to hold the annoying PS mic anymore. Some places I use a 24 dollar plantronics wired headset that has amazing recognition, with a monoaural speaker for listening to music, lighter and easier to answer phone and talk to people. Cant say its ever made me act like a telemarketer. Id put my 20 dollar headset up against a 450 dollar speechware any day of the week.
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search this forum for autohotkey
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Thank you. That is what I was looking for.
My main issue is pressing the buttons on the nuance powermic III because it takes a lot of pressure to depress the buttons on it. I was thinking of buying another mic (possibly the phillips or olympus ones recommended elsewhere), but my concern is that the record button on those mics wont function unless the powerscribe app is selected (similar problem to pressing F4 on the keyboard to start dictation). Does anyone know if a handheld mic other than the nuance powermic would have that issue? -
To my knowledge only the Powermic will activate dictation natively without the use of workaround software like Autohotkey or Autoit. I use a desktop mic and Autohotkey personally.
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Table mic and foot pedals keeps both hands free (and no neuropathy).
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Thanks. Will learn how to get autokey working and just use a keyboard or mouse shortcut and possibly one of those mic stands for the powermic. My goal is to use as little extra devices as needed so that I can easily switch between workstations. I don’t want to get comfortable in a complex setup and then have my workstation crash forcing me to move to a new station where nothing is configured during a busy call day, etc.
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Thanks. Will learn how to get autokey working and just use a keyboard or mouse shortcut and possibly one of those mic stands for the powermic. My goal is to use as little extra devices as needed so that I can easily switch between workstations. I don’t want to get comfortable in a complex setup and then have my workstation crash forcing me to move to a new station where nothing is configured during a busy call day, etc.
This AHK script will do exactly what you need.
[b]$F4::[/b]
[b]winactivate PowerScribe[/b]
[b]send {F4}[/b]
[b]return[/b] -
UncleHoward – consider getting the Powermic II instead.
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Does anyone listen to the radio or music while working? When there’s spoken words from a radio show, will that interfere with a desktop microphone? Is a headset microphone the best option in that case?
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[link=https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/7697066/Plantronics-Blackwire-C3220-Headset-Stereo-USB/?cm_mmc=GOOGLE-_-DSA_COR_Core_Tech_PhonesAccessories-_-Phone+Accessories-_-DYNAMIC+SEARCH+ADS&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8NHd-dfk7AIVUvDACh03qwOgEAAYASAAEgIeovD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds]https://www.officedepot.c…D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds[/link]
Mine is a Plantronics C3220
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Removed due to GDPR request
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Quote from NotSoDirectDx
…..
(we get asked to come and review studies at the console at least once, but sometimes up to 3 times while reporting a single study…) .
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No disrespect but it doesn’t sound like you need a headset; it sounds like you need a new job. How do you get anything done if you’re being constantly interrupted?
I’ve used monaural Plantronics headsets for years and haven’t had left thumb issues (my PowerMic hand) since. Works with PS360. I’ve learned to navigate through reports using voice commands.
