Finding The Best Speech Recognition Software
By mwatkins
"Can you hear me now!" I screamed at my cell phone as it gave me a mumbled version of the text message I was trying to leave because my hand was too sore to type a text message.
A combination of noise around me, other people voices, and traffic, had made the speech recognition software on my cell phone ineffective. And after multiple tries, I was completely frustrated.
We found the best speech recognition software by way of carpal tunnel instead of looking for an easy way out of typing and data entry.
Mid-January we started looking for speech recognition software. I was delighted that my husband had done so much research. Being a one-handed typist meant a very long recovery if I were to decide to have surgery. But I was determined to stay away from surgery through exercise and a healthier way of eating. For me this was a wise decision. That part is working fine and I am recovering, slowly.
Speech recognition software takes your voice and fine tunes it to complement a software program that works on your computer. Instead of typing out anything on your computer, you speak into a microphone that translates your voice into typed data, stores it, and then spits it back onto your computer screen. Any corrections or editing are up to you as the user.
Fluctuations in voice tone and tone quality are important when the program is trying to decipher what you are saying. Accents also can create confusion for speech recognition software because of the different word patterns. That's why it is important to do your research and get a good one.
Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11, is the speech recognition software that we researched and chose. Although we have the Dragon PC version, we know that Dragon is also MAC compatible.
What we found by using Dragon NaturallySpeaking software was that it fixes the mistakes that it makes. You actually train your own software to recognize your own voice, and tones, and inflections.
Once our new software was installed, we got the wireless headset adjusted and set up my user profile. This is a process that took only about half an hour.
Finding The Best Speech Recognition Software Raised The Bar
What I expected was a system that was going to be easy to install and set up and work with. What I did not expect was a system with automatic formatting and capitalization, error correction, personalization of my own vocabulary-specifically my voice, and an easy to pull up tutorial and tutorial sidebar.
Since finding and working with the speech recognition software, I am now barely using the keyboard, but my Dragon 11 quick reference card goes with me everywhere.
This is Exactly My Experience With Dragon 11 Naturally Speaking, Speech Recognition Software
Speech Recognition - The Microphone Is Critical
Selection of your microphone is extremely important. After evaluating several choices and comparing microphones we had on hand, we found that Logitech wireless headset H760 was our best choice.
Logitech provided superior sound quality, noise canceling efficiency, easily adjustable controls, and comfort. Plus it allowed me to roam around the house hands-free up to 33 feet-away from the computer!
Dragon speech recognition software is going to double my typing speed! Now if I can just get my brain to keep up with my mouth, I'll really have it made!
Not only did we find the best speech recognition software in Dragon Naturally Speaking 11, but I used it to write this hub with. Not just this hub, but my Excel spreadsheet, my QuickBooks program, my e-mail, web searches, and several others . And I couldn't be more delighted!
Other Microphones We Liked
 | Amazon Price: Too low to display List Price: $59.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $73.40 List Price: $99.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $89.84 List Price: $259.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $52.99 List Price: $66.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $17.00 List Price: $24.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $37.53 List Price: $49.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $38.51 List Price: $54.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $16.00 List Price: $69.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $22.10 List Price: $39.99 |
We Started With Dragon 11 Naturally Speaking
 | Amazon Price: $11.00 List Price: $19.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $114.95 List Price: $199.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $265.00 List Price: $299.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $59.87 |
 | Amazon Price: $117.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $130.10 |
 | Amazon Price: $91.65 List Price: $199.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $35.00 List Price: $99.99 |
Thank You!
I cannot truly express my appreciation, or my gratitude, to the man who did all the research, and spent the time he could have been spending finding the best speech recognition software - instead of doing something else.
More than words can say, thank you so very much!
Finding The Best Speech Recognition Software Comments
Yes - 99% accuracy, but I expect it to be 100% with the ability to control what is printed on the page. The commands are unlimited. I haven't found a word or sentence that I could not correct by using my voice commands! It gave me back my life!
I know this will help many business owners get more done. I am a 2 finger typists and it takes forever to write an article. This software is a God-send. Thank You MW. Great article once again.
Hi Kowality -
Thank you! I was really surprised to find out how helpful this software really is for business owners, transcriptionists, transcribers, college students, and home business owners! It has definitely improved my quality of life. Thank you-by the way, I am using Dragon 11 now to leave this comment. love it! :-)
Being a complete ignoramus myself, I am sending this to my son :-))
Hi DeGreek -
If your son has ANY issues with typing, for whatever reason, then he will be glad to have this software. I only have one hand to type with and having to lose the use of it was a real wake-up call for me. I sleep with a brace on my wrist-hand, go to the gym daily, eat more fruits and vegetables and drink more water, cut back on bad foods and use my speech recognition software for typing now. The difference is truly something to be excited about! It gave me back my life!
Tried this years ago and was frustrated...you hub is the first postive one to come along on the subject.
great advice will try:0)
Mike :0)
Hi Mikeq107! I'm really sorry, to hear about your experience, but I'm relieved to hear that it was an experience you had years ago.
Like you, I also tried different speech recognition software back then and I can honestly tell you that over 99% of everything I tried back then was garbage.
I remember thinking that it would take years and years for someone to perfect a system that could translate a human voice to a computer screen. Now, I'm forced to deal with a reality that I hadn't counted on-carpal tunnel.
After doing all the research and looking at all our options, I can say with confidence that we truly succeeded in finding the best speech recognition software in town.
I'm using it now, to write this comment, as I play with my dog-that's why we went wireless (hands-free) headphones.
Training your Dragon software is as important as the initial software setup itself. You also have to train your mind to speak verbal commands into a microphone versus typing them on a computer keyboard. That takes practice
I am living own Own experience and can honestly tell you from working with our Dragon 11 Naturally Speaking software, that I have had to exercise patience.
It takes some time and patience to bring your software into your own personal voice compliance so that you can achieve a 99% plus accuracy rate. I actually discovered that speaking faster work much better than trying to speak slowly and enunciate each word separately!
I used to be an 80 words per minute plus, one-handed typist. I look forward to being a 150 plus words per minute typist within the next 1 to 2 weeks.
Finding the best speech recognition software gave me back the time for my life that I was missing and restored my confidence so that I could move forward again.
Without the use of my one good hand, I felt like I was stranded on an Island without a boat, or a way to communicate with anyone at all.
That experience left me feeling humbled and frightened. But, you should see me now! I am one smile away from ecstatic!
Thanks again-great to see you here!
Sounds like great software. God Bless You.
Michelle :0)
Thank you for such a wonderfuly detailed reply. It is very easy to tell that you are using Dragon 11 as I feel as though you are talking directly to me, which you are.
The version I had years back was D 3 and with my soft Irish brogue at the time ,was extremely frustrating as I said before.
What I like most about your reply as you speak verses typing is its very personal your thoughts flow on to the paper . I feel like I`m there
Ooops hit the send button too soon. I think I will get along quite nicely with this new D11 as I Being Irish am verbal with my thoughts, it is like you have opened a new door for me, I love to write but hate typing, still a 60 wmp 2 finger Guy...
Anyway again thank you for your all your help, your obvious enthusiasm has sold me on this system..
Sincerely
Mike :0)
hello my friend, stars439 43, I am delighted to see you again! You're right, it is good and I just can't say enough good things about it!
hello again Mike! 60 WPM and really is good, for a two finger typist! A soft accent, is something you simply train your Dragon 11 speech recognition software for. I didn't know I had an accent either, until I used the software myself. if you do decide to go with Dragon 11, and you have any questions, you will find that the tips, the cheat sheets, the tutorials, and the help information that comes with the program will make your life so much easier! I learned something with it every time I use it! And it really does type as fast as I talk! When I have to remember is to add some punctuation verbally-I'm still not used to that -LOL! I wish you every success!
I like this software , may i try it later . your hub rated useful.
Hi ImChemist! I love it! Let me know how you like it so we can compare notes! So glad you stopped and thanks for the rating! ;-)
JK 15 months ago
Great article. This software is finally coming of age.Wow...99% accuracy. Thank You for the awesome info.
http://BestSpeechRecognitionSoftware.org