speech to text for classroom

• Skip to Nav
• Skip to Main
• Skip to Footer

• Saved Articles
• Newsletters

The Benefits of Speech-to-Text Technology in All Classrooms

Please try again

During in-person instruction, Vikram Nahal would correct console grips in his role as a Resource Specialist Program (RSP) teacher in Northern California. Learning console grips helps students develop the hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills necessary to correctly form shapes on a page. He could provide grip tools for pencils or guide students’ hands with his own, familiarizing them with the strokes. 

During virtual education, he relied on reference materials and parent assistance when available. An adult in the room could help demonstrate grips, steer hands and inform Nahal when additional resources were needed.

Despite the difficulties of offering support remotely, Nahal found that virtual learning allowed him to experiment with new technologies that supported his students with learning disabilities. Speech-to-text technology allowed them to more easily transfer their ideas onto the page. This especially helped his students with ADHD and processing-related disabilities, such as auditory processing disorder or working memory deficits.

Speech-to-text tools also saved time, which is helpful for students who might forget their ideas once they try to write or students who struggle with getting any words on the page at all, feeling unable to transfer their thoughts. For some, this was because of the intimidation of writing academically, with spelling and grammar anxieties prohibiting them from starting. For others, the time taken to write out initial thoughts caused them to forget later conclusions and analyses, given the lack of immediacy in writing.

“Coming into the distance learning, I was really worried about these kids. But what I found was through using the speech-to-text feature, they were able to get their ideas on paper. They didn’t have that physical transfer where they had to go and write it out and lose what they were thinking about in the process. And they really evolved as writers,” said Nahal.

The process of vocalizing their ideas and watching their words simultaneously appear on the screen relieved much of the stress around writing. Students could watch their thoughts fill a page, proving for some that they were capable of doing so. They could then go through and revise their grammar and ideas, correcting anywhere the technology misheard them and getting practice editing their own writing.

The initial skill required of students wasn’t spelling or grammar, but the ability to transfer their ideas to the page. Natalie Conway is a teacher who works with students with disabilities in grades Kindergarten through 3rd at a statewide online charter school in Oregon. She has been teaching online for seven years. She said that specifically identifying which standard is being assessed, and providing accommodations for the standards not presently up to bat, can help make school more accessible for all students.

“Those accommodations are going to benefit kids who are unidentified (in disability) and who just would enjoy learning that way,” said Conway. “So if you make it available to everyone, it’s not stigmatizing to anyone. And students are going to self-select what’s going to work for them. They know themselves, too, especially the older they get.”

Writing is Rewriting

Nahal eventually transitioned his students off speech-to-text, encouraging them to write phonetically in a subsequent phase but with the same initial indifference to spelling and grammar encouraged by a first draft from speech-to-text. Then, once the ideas were on the page, Nahal and his students could comb through their work, updating spelling and modifying their language to meet academic conventions. 

“Through the process of correcting their work and typing, they’ve become better writers,” he said.

He spotlighted spell check as a simple way students could see that they misspelled words, with the automatic underline quickly notifying students of a mistake. That helped make editing for spelling and grammar less difficult online. Speech-to-text technology accelerated his students’ writing skills during virtual learning. 

“These gains would have not happened had we been in person. I mean, it would have happened, but not so rapidly in my estimation,” Nahal said.

Voice Practice 

Conway spotlighted speech-to-text technology as liberating for kids with writing disabilities and fine motor needs. Beyond writing homework assignments, the technology can also be used for quick in-class responses. If a teacher asks all students to put an answer in the virtual class’ chatbox, for instance, a student who might not feel confident in their ability to write their thoughts can use transcription software to still participate. And for chat boxes with microphone transcription enabled, they can participate even more quickly. 

“It’s giving students independence, instead of having to have a scribe all the time or having to have someone read to them all the time,” said Kathleen Kane Parkinson, a diverse learner teacher in Chicago. 

In the past, many students would only be able to practice their pronunciations in a classroom setting. Now, this technology and related technologies allow for pronunciation practice to be incorporated into at-home work. Some teachers, like Parkinson, may choose to continue using some form of voice-recognition software for out-of-class assignments moving forward. 

Parkinson mentioned, however, that the technology does not yet fully accommodate students with speech and language impairments. The transcription of their speech may not accurately reflect what students said into their microphones, which can cause confusion and frustration. 

Repeated Read Alouds

The related but inverse technology of text-to-speech, also known as read-aloud technology, helped Nahal’s students improve their reading skills. The process of hearing text read aloud ensured that words or lines weren’t skipped, improving comprehension. Students could also highlight new words to hear pronunciations or learn definitions, strengthening vocabularies.

For students who might not feel confident reading grade-level material, or who process information better when listening, read-along features for books and articles can be pivotal. Students with attention deficits might benefit from the ability to pause a story to process or take notes, and then press play to resume reading without losing their place.

“[For] kids who might have working memory deficits or trouble recalling information, the ability to listen to something over and over or listen to it as they read it, following along — that can be really powerful,” Conway said. 

Jodi Dezale, a speech language pathologist at Jefferson Community School in Minneapolis pointed to online books as a key resource brought about during virtual learning. The read-along audio feature provided students the autonomy to read books on their own. Tie-in videos from publishers like Scholastic gave students an additional level of engagement for books, encouraging new modes of interaction with familiar images and stories.  

“One of the tools that we use to build comprehension is repeated readings of the same thing. So getting comfortable with seeing something in different ways and using it multiple times was very helpful,” said Dezale.

Accessibility Opportunities

Engagement with both audible and visual modes of learning can also be achieved through closed captioning in class video software. Offered on both Google Meet and Zoom, closed captioning can have benefits for all students. It can make virtual classrooms that don’t have sign language translators more accessible for students who are deaf and hard of hearing. Students with unimpaired hearing can also utilize captions as a secondary cue for their minds, allowing for another way to perceive the material. 

“You’re pairing verbal input with visual input and it’s just more likely to stick in your brain and make sense to you,” Conway said. 

Access to technology is an equity issue. Students gained technological skills during virtual learning that they might not have otherwise gleaned. Many schools engaged with new learning and accessibility tools they didn’t have the bandwidth or funding to try during in-person learning.

Increased familiarity with online platforms and technologies may lessen the digital divide between the schools that had embedded technology before the pandemic and those that newly engaged with modes of digital education over the past year. This offered more students digital skills that may be needed after graduation. 

“They’ve got to be computer literate,” Nahal said. “It’s a literacy issue for me.” 

Teachers who work with students with disabilities specifically can supply their students with tools and methods of enabling accessibility technologies that they can take with them into general education classes.

“When they’re in, say, a humanities class or a science class, that’s where those tools are going to come in handy. And it’s a matter of teaching them how to use the tools,” Parkinson said. 

This not only makes education more accessible, it encourages students to take agency in their learning, spurring greater independence.

For teachers who work with students with disabilities, the instantaneous nature of online assignments’ feedback saves time. Sandra Zickrick works with middle schoolers with disabilities. She shared that before virtual education, she would take each student aside to assess their skills and determine where additional support was needed. Now, she can have all of her students complete simultaneous virtual assessments and immediately receive the results, allowing her to spend more class time providing specific support or doing activities with the entire class.

Beyond the new technologies learned, a number of students with disabilities preferred learning online. For some, doing school from home induced less social anxiety, which led to increased academic confidence.

Attending school from home was less optimal for many students, with many facing challenges of family distractions, Wi-Fi connection issues or an inability to find a quiet place to work. Yet some students were better able to concentrate on schoolwork at home, whether from reduced distractions in virtual school compared to social classroom settings, or from decreased social stress. Online education can allow for greater control over a student’s environment, which can limit external distractors or overbearing external stimuli, benefiting some students with autism, ADD and ADHD. 

“A lot of the physical distractors that happened in a building, that happened in a physical classroom, aren’t the same at home,” Conway said. 

Conway also pointed to the ability for students to revisit lectures, to rewind, rewatch and take their time, as another accessibility tool. The more methods teachers offer for students to access the material and demonstrate that they’ve learned it, the more accessible school becomes for all students.

When students can select how to best prove their knowledge — be it in an essay, video, PowerPoint, Google Doc or other tool — they not only take agency in their learning, but can unlock new creativity. This creativity will be an asset in higher education and in the workforce, Conway said. 

“They now have skills to communicate in a variety of ways, collaborate with other kids and be creative and think critically about what they’re doing and how they’re doing it,” she said.

The specific tools and technologies a school may take on during virtual education may depend on the school’s location, technology team and budget. Yet the fact that more students received technological devices and more schools explored assistive technologies during virtual education helped in the movement to make education more accessible.

“I think the biggest takeaway of this online experience is just that there are things out there for free that we can use,” Conway said. “The sky’s the limit and you just need to Google whatever it is you want.”

MindShift is part of KQED, a non-profit NPR and PBS member station in San Francisco, CA. The text of this specific article is available to republish for noncommercial purposes under a Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license, thanks to support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Don't Miss a Post! Subscribe

• Guest Posts

• Educational AI
• Edtech Tools
• Edtech Apps
• Teacher Resources
• Special Education
• Edtech for Kids
• Buying Guides for Teachers

Educators Technology

Innovative EdTech for teachers, educators, parents, and students

Speech to Text Apps for Kids

By Med Kharbach, PhD | Last Update: May 16, 2024

Embracing the digital era, speech-to-text tools have become a game-changer in educational technology, especially for children. These tools are not just about convenience; they open doors to enhanced learning experiences, aiding in the development of literacy skills and providing support for children with diverse learning needs.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into various speech-to-text tools specifically designed for kids. From mobile apps to web-based services, these tools offer practical, fun, and interactive ways for children to engage with technology, thereby enhancing their communication and learning processes.

Here are some speech-to-text tools that are particularly well-suited for young users:

Gboard (Google Keyboard)

Available on most smartphones and tablets, Gboard has an excellent speech-to-text feature that’s easy for kids to use. It’s useful for composing messages, searching the web, and more.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking

While more advanced, Dragon NaturallySpeaking is highly accurate and can be a great tool for older kids, especially those who struggle with typing. It’s suitable for writing longer pieces like essays.

Windows Speech Recognition

Integrated into Windows operating systems, this tool allows users to navigate their computer and dictate text through voice commands. It’s useful for school assignments and computer navigation.

Apple Dictation

Available on Macs and iOS devices, Apple Dictation provides a simple and effective way for kids to convert their speech into text. It’s integrated into the OS, making it easily accessible for schoolwork and personal use.

Speechnotes

A web-based tool that’s free and straightforward to use. Speechnotes is ideal for quick dictation and works well for children due to its simplicity and high accuracy.

Known for its accuracy and ease of use, Otter.ai is great for transcribing real-time speech. It’s useful for older kids who might need to transcribe lectures, notes, or brainstorming sessions.

Voice Typing in Google Docs

Google Docs has a voice typing feature that’s quite accurate and easy to use. It’s ideal for writing and editing documents directly in the browser, making it a great tool for school assignments.

Microsoft OneNote

OneNote’s dictation feature is a great tool for note-taking and organizing thoughts. It’s particularly useful for school projects and homework.

Final thoughts

In summary, speech-to-text tools for kids offer invaluable assistance in enhancing literacy, aiding in communication, and making technology more accessible. From versatile tools like Gboard and Apple Dictation to specialized applications like Otter.ai, these resources cater to diverse needs and learning styles. Whether it’s for academic purposes, creative expression, or aiding children with specific learning needs, these tools provide an engaging and efficient way to transform spoken words into written text, thereby opening up a world of possibilities for young learners.

Join our mailing list

Never miss an EdTech beat! Subscribe now for exclusive insights and resources .

Meet Med Kharbach, PhD

Dr. Med Kharbach is an influential voice in the global educational technology landscape, with an extensive background in educational studies and a decade-long experience as a K-12 teacher. Holding a Ph.D. from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Canada, he brings a unique perspective to the educational world by integrating his profound academic knowledge with his hands-on teaching experience. Dr. Kharbach's academic pursuits encompass curriculum studies, discourse analysis, language learning/teaching, language and identity, emerging literacies, educational technology, and research methodologies. His work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences and published in various esteemed academic journals.

Join our email list for exclusive EdTech content.

Top 7 Uses for Speech-to-Text in Education

Unlock language AI at scale with an API call.

Get conversational intelligence with transcription and understanding on the world's best speech AI platform.

The digital classroom, transforming the way we learn

Articles and "Free lesson plans on the go"

Teaching speech to text

How to use speech-to-text on microsoft word to write and edit with your voice.

Most schools are experiencing some one kind of lockdown these days. And that means more digital teaching and learning. Here is a way to help students and teachers who might need or want a break from typing. Perhaps you are having trouble writing for some reason. Perhaps your students do better in oral tasks but still need to hand in written assignments. Use dictation in Word. Easy and smart.

• You can use speech-to-text on Microsoft Word through the “Dictate” feature.
• With Microsoft Word’s “Dictate” feature, you can write using a microphone and your own voice.
• When you use Dictate, you can say “new line” to create a new paragraph and add punctuation simply by saying the punctuation aloud.

While typing is certainly the most common way to create and edit documents in Microsoft Word , you’re not limited to using a keyboard.

Word supports speech-to-text, which lets you dictate your writing using voice recognition.

Speech-to-text in Word is convenient and surprisingly accurate, and can help anyone who has issues typing with a typical keyboard.

You can use speech-to-text in Microsoft Word in the same way on both Mac and PC. Source Business insider

Taking notes from a lecture online

Use a device like your phone. Open word and start the dictation function. I do that if I want to make sure I don’t miss anything  like when I sneak out to get a coffee or two

Microsoft announced in august 2020 that its popular Word app is getting new transcription and voice commanding capabilities this year. The first new feature, Transcribe in Word, will allow users to record conversations in the Word web app and have the word processor automatically transcribing it for them.

Transcribe in Word can also be used for recording discussions, as the feature is able to detect different speakers in a conversation. Transcripts will appear alongside the Word document users are working on, and adding a quote from a conversation can be done by clicking the plus icon on any line of the transcript. Even better, Transcribe in Word also works with pre-recorded audio and video files, though there’s a file size limit of 200MB.

Learning a foreign language?

Use dictation and see if the software understands you correctly. Or listen to a podcast using dictation to see the words in writing  this is a great tool for dyslexics

Share this:

I would love to hear from you cancel reply, discover more from the digital classroom, transforming the way we learn.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Dictation (speech-to-text) technology: What it is and how it works

By Jamie Martin

Expert reviewed by Rachael (Shelley) Haven, ATP, RET, BSME

Updated May 12, 2023

At a glance

Dictation is an assistive technology tool that can help people with writing challenges.

With dictation technology, people can write sentences by speaking them.

Dictation is sometimes called “speech-to-text,” “voice-to-text,” or “speech recognition” technology.

Dictation is an assistive technology (AT) tool that can help people who struggle with writing. You may hear it referred to as “speech-to-text,” “voice-to-text,” “voice recognition,” or “speech recognition” technology. It allows users to write with their voices, instead of writing by hand or with a keyboard. This can be helpful for people with dysgraphia , dyslexia , and other learning and thinking differences that impact writing.

Read more about what dictation technology is and where to find it.

Types of dictation technology

Dictation technology converts spoken words into digital text on a screen. With dictation, users can write words by speaking them aloud. They can also edit and revise by using their voice.

There are several types of dictation technology available.

Built-in dictation technology: Today, most devices have built-in dictation tools . This includes desktop and laptop computers (Windows and macOS), smartphone and digital tablets (Android and iOS), and Chromebooks (Chrome OS). If you have any of these devices, you probably don’t need to buy special software. The microphone and the dictation tools come with the device, but you may need an Internet connection.

Dictation apps: There are many apps that can be downloaded for smartphones and digital tablets. One example is Dragon Anywhere (iOS, Android).

Dictation software: The most full-featured support comes in the form of  software programs for desktop and laptop computers. These programs can adapt to how a person speaks. This makes them more accurate over time. Some dictation programs can also convert audio recordings into digital text. Examples of dictation software include Dragon for PC, Dragon for Mac, and WordQ SpeakQ.

How dictation technology can help with writing

Kids who struggle with writing can have a hard time with assignments like essays and papers — and even writing emails. Adults may struggle to write reports, emails, and other job-related documents. Dictation technology can help in several ways. 

It’s a workaround for poor handwriting. Users can rely on dictation to create text that’s easier for others to read.

It can help with spelling. Users who know how to pronounce a difficult word can simply speak it, then see how it’s spelled on-screen.

It can capture fleeting thoughts . People who think faster than they can write by hand or type on a keyboard can more easily get all their thoughts into words.

It can make the process more comfortable. The technology can support people who struggle with motor skills, including those who have trouble typing on a keyboard, especially for long periods of time.

What to know about using dictation technology

Dictation technology is a powerful tool. But using it successfully may take training and practice. There are commands that users have to learn. And some aspects of dictation can be difficult for people with certain learning and thinking differences.

Here’s what you need to know:

When dictating, users need to speak clearly, at a steady rhythm and speed. They also need to pronounce words correctly. If the user mumbles, mispronounces words, or slurs words together, the dictated text might not be correct. This may pose a challenge for users who struggle with spoken language.

While dictating sentences, users have to say the punctuation mark. For example, the user may need to say “period” or “question mark” at the end of a sentence. (Punctuation can also be entered with a keyboard.)

In general, dictation is more accurate if users say whole phrases and sentences, not just individual words. While people who have slow processing speed or struggle with working memory may benefit from dictation in other ways, they may have trouble saying large groups of words at a time.

Editing or navigating a document with dictation can be hard. It requires the use of special verbal commands. For example, to delete the previous sentence, the user might have to say “select previous” and “delete that.” To move the cursor, the user might have to say “move backwards 10 words.” Or to start a new paragraph, they might have to say “new paragraph.” A cheat sheet of common commands can help.

It may help users to start with an outline before writing with dictation. When people dictate, they can sometimes lose track of what they’re writing about. An outline helps with organization and reminds the writer of what to say next.

Dictation users may find it helpful to first verbally compose what they want to say and then dictate. A headset microphone with a mute switch prevents the software from listening while the user “thinks out loud” to hear how their writing sounds.

Dictation can be used in combination with keyboarding. For instance, some users find it easier to write a first draft with dictation. But then they use a keyboard and mouse for editing adding punctuation, and moving around in a document.

As with all AT tools, dictation may not help with all writing struggles. And it isn’t always perfectly accurate. Some people may do better with other types of accommodations for writing , like word prediction technology, graphic organizers, or having a scribe to write down what they’re saying. Different types of tools are needed for different kinds of writing challenges.

Key takeaways

Dictation technology can be a great tool for people who struggle with handwriting, typing, or spelling, and for those who think faster than they can write.

For dictation technology to work properly, users have to speak clearly and may need to use various spoken commands.

Several types of dictation tools are available on computers, mobile devices, and Chrome devices.

Explore related topics

Empowering Education: The Benefits of Text to Speech for Students

Featured In

Table of contents, the power of text-to-speech tools in education, why speechify is the best tts solution for students, the best text-to-speech solution.

Text-to-speech apps can be incredibly helpful in the classroom to assist students in learning more efficiently. Learn more about the top TTS applications for students.

In today's digital age, technology plays a pivotal role in education, offering tools and resources that cater to diverse learning needs. Among these, text-to-speech (TTS) tools have emerged as a game-changer for students. These innovative solutions convert written text into spoken words, making learning more accessible and engaging, especially for those with reading disabilities, dyslexia, or other challenges. In this article, we'll explore the myriad benefits of text to speech for students and delve into why Speechify stands out as the best TTS solution for learners.

Utilizing text-to-speech technology in education offers an array of benefits for students. Tools like Microsoft's natural reader or Speechify provide a seamless way to convert text, whether from textbooks, documents, or web pages, into spoken words. This not only aids in accessibility for students with learning disabilities but also enhances learning for all. The ability to choose from a variety of human-like voices, including AI voices, in multiple languages such as English and Spanish, creates a personalized learning experience. Whether it's turning text files into audio files, accessing audiobooks, or incorporating text-to-speech technology into educational technology like Microsoft Word, the versatility of these tools knows no bounds. They also prove invaluable in creating voiceovers for podcasts, MP3 files, and HTML content, further enriching the learning experience and making education accessible to all students, regardless of their reading abilities or language preferences.

1. Enhanced Accessibility

Text-to-speech tools break down barriers to learning by making educational content accessible to a wider audience. Students with dyslexia or reading disabilities can benefit immensely from these tools, as they transform written text into spoken words, reducing the decoding effort required for reading.

2. Improved Reading Comprehension

Listening to content being read aloud can enhance reading comprehension. When students hear the words as they read along, it reinforces their understanding of the material, promoting better retention and learning outcomes.

3. Versatility in Content Consumption

Text-to-speech tools are incredibly versatile. They can convert a wide range of content, including web pages, digital textbooks, PDF files, and even written assignments. This versatility ensures that students can access various types of materials in a format that suits their preferences.

4. Personalized Learning

With TTS technology, students can adjust the reading speed and choose from different voices, allowing for a personalized learning experience. This flexibility accommodates individual preferences and learning styles.

5. Accessibility to Different Languages

Many TTS tools support multiple languages, enabling students to access content in their native language or explore foreign languages. This feature is invaluable for language learners.

6. Integration with Learning Tools

TTS technology seamlessly integrates with other educational tools and platforms. It can be used with learning management systems, educational apps, and document editing software, enhancing its functionality and convenience.

7. Assistive Technology

Text-to-speech tools are considered assistive technology, designed to assist students with disabilities. They play a crucial role in special education by providing support tailored to individual needs.

Among the various TTS tools available, Speechify shines as the best solution for students, offering a host of advantages:

1. High-Quality, Natural-Sounding Voices

Speechify boasts a collection of high-quality, natural-sounding voices in multiple languages, ensuring an immersive and engaging learning experience. These AI-generated voices closely mimic human speech patterns.

2. Seamless Integration

Speechify integrates seamlessly with popular educational platforms, including Google Docs, making it easy for students to access TTS technology where they need it most.

3. Real-Time Transcription

Speechify offers real-time transcription capabilities, allowing students to convert spoken words into text on the fly. This feature is invaluable for note-taking during lectures or interviews.

4. Flexibility in Content Consumption

Speechify can convert a wide range of content, from web pages and PDF files to digital textbooks and written assignments. Its versatility ensures that students can access course materials in various formats.

5. Diverse Use Cases

Speechify caters to a wide range of educational use cases, from reading disabilities and dyslexia support to enhancing reading speed and comprehension. It's a valuable tool for learners at all levels.

6. Support for Different Devices

Speechify is available on various platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, and as a Chrome extension . This ensures that students can use it across their devices, making it a truly accessible learning tool.

7. Free Text-to-Speech Software

While Speechify offers premium features, it also provides a free version, making it accessible to students on a budget. The transparent pricing structure ensures that users get the best value for their investment on this TTS software.

8. Multilingual Support

Speechify supports human voices in multiple languages, making it ideal for language learners looking to speak a different language and students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

9. Comprehensive Learning Tools

Beyond its TTS capabilities, Speechify offers features like translation, OCR (optical character recognition), and text highlighting, further enhancing its functionality as a learning tool.

10. Enhanced Reading Speed

Speechify allows students to adjust reading speed, helping them improve their reading fluency and speed, a valuable skill in academic settings.

Text-to-speech readers have become invaluable resources in education, leveling the playing field for students with various learning needs and disabilities. In conclusion, Speechify, with its high-quality, natural-sounding voices, real-time transcription, and seamless integration, stands as the best TTS solution for students. Its text-to-speech app empowers learners to access educational content in a format that suits their preferences, enhances their reading comprehension, and provides valuable support for special education. In an era where digital text is prevalent, Speechify ensures that no student is left behind and that the benefits of TTS technology are fully realized in the world of education.

The 5 best text to speech Chrome extensions

Read Aloud: Transforming the Way We Experience Text

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.

Speech to Text - Voice Typing & Transcription

Take notes with your voice for free, or automatically transcribe audio & video recordings. amazingly accurate, secure & blazing fast..

~ Proudly serving millions of users since 2015 ~

I need to >

Dictate Notes

Start taking notes, on our online voice-enabled notepad right away, for free. Learn more.

Transcribe Recordings

Automatically transcribe (& optionally translate) recordings, audio and video files, YouTubes and more, in no time. Learn more.

Speechnotes is a reliable and secure web-based speech-to-text tool that enables you to quickly and accurately transcribe & translate your audio and video recordings, as well as dictate your notes instead of typing, saving you time and effort. With features like voice commands for punctuation and formatting, automatic capitalization, and easy import/export options, Speechnotes provides an efficient and user-friendly dictation and transcription experience. Proudly serving millions of users since 2015, Speechnotes is the go-to tool for anyone who needs fast, accurate & private transcription. Our Portfolio of Complementary Speech-To-Text Tools Includes:

Voice typing - Chrome extension

Dictate instead of typing on any form & text-box across the web. Including on Gmail, and more.

Transcription API & webhooks

Speechnotes' API enables you to send us files via standard POST requests, and get the transcription results sent directly to your server.

Zapier integration

Combine the power of automatic transcriptions with Zapier's automatic processes. Serverless & codeless automation! Connect with your CRM, phone calls, Docs, email & more.

Android Speechnotes app

Speechnotes' notepad for Android, for notes taking on your mobile, battle tested with more than 5Million downloads. Rated 4.3+ ⭐

iOS TextHear app

TextHear for iOS, works great on iPhones, iPads & Macs. Designed specifically to help people with hearing impairment participate in conversations. Please note, this is a sister app - so it has its own pricing plan.

Audio & video converting tools

Tools developed for fast - batch conversions of audio files from one type to another and extracting audio only from videos for minimizing uploads.

Our Sister Apps for Text-To-Speech & Live Captioning

Complementary to Speechnotes

Reads out loud texts, files & web pages

Listen on the go to any written content, from custom texts to websites & e-books, for free.

Speechlogger

Live Captioning & Translation

Live captions & simultaneous translation for conferences, online meetings, webinars & more.

Need Human Transcription? We Can Offer a 10% Discount Coupon

We do not provide human transcription services ourselves, but, we partnered with a UK company that does. Learn more on human transcription and the 10% discount .

Dictation Notepad

Start taking notes with your voice for free

Speech to Text online notepad. Professional, accurate & free speech recognizing text editor. Distraction-free, fast, easy to use web app for dictation & typing.

Speechnotes is a powerful speech-enabled online notepad, designed to empower your ideas by implementing a clean & efficient design, so you can focus on your thoughts. We strive to provide the best online dictation tool by engaging cutting-edge speech-recognition technology for the most accurate results technology can achieve today, together with incorporating built-in tools (automatic or manual) to increase users' efficiency, productivity and comfort. Works entirely online in your Chrome browser. No download, no install and even no registration needed, so you can start working right away.

Speechnotes is especially designed to provide you a distraction-free environment. Every note, starts with a new clear white paper, so to stimulate your mind with a clean fresh start. All other elements but the text itself are out of sight by fading out, so you can concentrate on the most important part - your own creativity. In addition to that, speaking instead of typing, enables you to think and speak it out fluently, uninterrupted, which again encourages creative, clear thinking. Fonts and colors all over the app were designed to be sharp and have excellent legibility characteristics.

Example use cases

• Voice typing
• Writing notes, thoughts
• Medical forms - dictate
• Transcribers (listen and dictate)

Transcription Service

Start transcribing

Fast turnaround - results within minutes. Includes timestamps, auto punctuation and subtitles at unbeatable price. Protects your privacy: no human in the loop, and (unlike many other vendors) we do NOT keep your audio. Pay per use, no recurring payments. Upload your files or transcribe directly from Google Drive, YouTube or any other online source. Simple. No download or install. Just send us the file and get the results in minutes.

• Transcribe interviews
• Captions for Youtubes & movies
• Auto-transcribe phone calls or voice messages
• Students - transcribe lectures
• Podcasters - enlarge your audience by turning your podcasts into textual content
• Text-index entire audio archives

Key Advantages

Speechnotes is powered by the leading most accurate speech recognition AI engines by Google & Microsoft. We always check - and make sure we still use the best. Accuracy in English is very good and can easily reach 95% accuracy for good quality dictation or recording.

Lightweight & fast

Both Speechnotes dictation & transcription are lightweight-online no install, work out of the box anywhere you are. Dictation works in real time. Transcription will get you results in a matter of minutes.

Super Private & Secure!

Super private - no human handles, sees or listens to your recordings! In addition, we take great measures to protect your privacy. For example, for transcribing your recordings - we pay Google's speech to text engines extra - just so they do not keep your audio for their own research purposes.

Health advantages

Typing may result in different types of Computer Related Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI). Voice typing is one of the main recommended ways to minimize these risks, as it enables you to sit back comfortably, freeing your arms, hands, shoulders and back altogether.

Saves you time

Need to transcribe a recording? If it's an hour long, transcribing it yourself will take you about 6! hours of work. If you send it to a transcriber - you will get it back in days! Upload it to Speechnotes - it will take you less than a minute, and you will get the results in about 20 minutes to your email.

Saves you money

Speechnotes dictation notepad is completely free - with ads - or a small fee to get it ad-free. Speechnotes transcription is only $0.1/minute, which is X10 times cheaper than a human transcriber! We offer the best deal on the market - whether it's the free dictation notepad ot the pay-as-you-go transcription service.

Dictation - Free

• Online dictation notepad
• Voice typing Chrome extension

Dictation - Premium

• Premium online dictation notepad
• Premium voice typing Chrome extension
• Support from the development team

Transcription

$0.1 /minute.

• Pay as you go - no subscription
• Audio & video recordings
• Speaker diarization in English
• Generate captions .srt files
• REST API, webhooks & Zapier integration

Compare plans

Privacy Policy

We at Speechnotes, Speechlogger, TextHear, Speechkeys value your privacy, and that's why we do not store anything you say or type or in fact any other data about you - unless it is solely needed for the purpose of your operation. We don't share it with 3rd parties, other than Google / Microsoft for the speech-to-text engine.

Privacy - how are the recordings and results handled?

- transcription service.

Our transcription service is probably the most private and secure transcription service available.

• HIPAA compliant.
• No human in the loop. No passing your recording between PCs, emails, employees, etc.
• Secure encrypted communications (https) with and between our servers.
• Recordings are automatically deleted from our servers as soon as the transcription is done.
• Our contract with Google / Microsoft (our speech engines providers) prohibits them from keeping any audio or results.
• Transcription results are securely kept on our secure database. Only you have access to them - only if you sign in (or provide your secret credentials through the API)
• You may choose to delete the transcription results - once you do - no copy remains on our servers.

- Dictation notepad & extension

For dictation, the recording & recognition - is delegated to and done by the browser (Chrome / Edge) or operating system (Android). So, we never even have access to the recorded audio, and Edge's / Chrome's / Android's (depending the one you use) privacy policy apply here.

The results of the dictation are saved locally on your machine - via the browser's / app's local storage. It never gets to our servers. So, as long as your device is private - your notes are private.

Payments method privacy

The whole payments process is delegated to PayPal / Stripe / Google Pay / Play Store / App Store and secured by these providers. We never receive any of your credit card information.

More generic notes regarding our site, cookies, analytics, ads, etc.

• We may use Google Analytics on our site - which is a generic tool to track usage statistics.
• We use cookies - which means we save data on your browser to send to our servers when needed. This is used for instance to sign you in, and then keep you signed in.
• For the dictation tool - we use your browser's local storage to store your notes, so you can access them later.
• Non premium dictation tool serves ads by Google. Users may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Ads Settings . Alternatively, users can opt out of a third-party vendor's use of cookies for personalized advertising by visiting https://youradchoices.com/
• In case you would like to upload files to Google Drive directly from Speechnotes - we'll ask for your permission to do so. We will use that permission for that purpose only - syncing your speech-notes to your Google Drive, per your request.

How speech-to-text transformed a student’s 5th grade year

By kyle redford, november 2013.

Last fall, the fifth graders in my class were the lucky recipients of iPads–one for each student. Thrilled and curious, we experimented (as a class and individually) with the different possibilities embedded in the apps and features. There were new ways to practice math facts, explore other countries, consume content, connect with other classrooms, create films and slide shows, animate information and document learning. But all those bells and whistles paled in comparison to the breakthrough that the device offered one of my dyslexic students. While his iPad discoveries were personally beneficial to his fifth grade year, these revelations have profoundly influenced my teaching strategies for any student with a similar learning profile.

Speech-to-Text Explorations in Room 22

Speech-to-Text Pointers

Any iPad, version 3 or higher has Speech to-Text capabilities.

Certain other mobile devices, including Android devices, also have this feature.

Internet access is necessary for Speech-to-Text to work on the iPad and Siri must be enabled.

Speech-to-Text on the iPad works on any app with a keyboard–just tap the mic icon.

For more details and tips for using Speech-to-Text on the iPad, please click here.

It all started with one clever and perseverant ten-year-old boy (Pierce) and one harried, but well-meaning teacher (me). When I first suggested that Pierce try using the speech-to-text feature on his iPad, I had minimal expectations. Unable to effectively assist him with a writing assignment, the speech-to-text (Siri) feature on his iPad was a last-ditch effort to respond to his frustration. I was hoping that giving it a try would keep him busy while simultaneously easing the guilt I felt for not being able to help him transcribe his ideas during a Writer’s Workshop session.  Pierce struggled with the same cruel disparity that haunts many dyslexic students: weak written expression concomitant with exceptional ideas, knowledge and intellectual abilities. I was always looking to find strategies to help him get his great ideas into the content of his writing. Although I had serious doubts about the iPads’s speech-to-text feature for classroom work, I thought it was worth a try.

Past explorations with speech-to-text technology had taught me that it was pretty finicky and limited in its ability to decode young male voices. Consequently, I was not surprised when Pierce returned at the end of the period with an unenthusiastic review of the feature. However, I did not anticipate the persistence he would bring to the mission. Pierce calmly informed me, “I will try bringing the iPad outside during Writer’s Workshop tomorrow and see if that helps.” Okay. I could hardly argue with his tenacity. At the end of the next day’s writing period, Pierce showed me some hilarious mistakes that the computer made in translating his voice. We laughed together and I naturally thought the iPad experiment was over.

Pierce simply said, “You should have seen how much wackier it was yesterday.”  And that is the way it went. Each day, the reports about his progress with the iPad improved as did Pierce’s mood. After several days, I almost fell out of my chair when Pierce commented that he was making real progress and he thought he should use the iPad speech to text for all his writing. Say what? I asked him to show me what he had been writing.It was quite impressive. Shocking, actually. I was particularly amazed by the amount of words on the page. Wow. Old Pierce used to reluctantly offer one or two messy, incomplete sentences to express what he knew, even though I knew (and he knew) he knew much more. New Pierce had written so much that it actually prompted a different, happier concern: How would he manage to copy edit all of these sentences?

Pierce’s next challenge is figuring out how to speak in complete sentences and how to include punctuation commands. However, he is confronting the challenge with his notable resourcefulness and determination. Probably the most amazing thing about Pierce’s process is how eager he is to share it with others and help them learn from his journey. I asked him what he thinks would be important for someone starting out with speech to text.

Here are Pierce’s speech-to-text tips/observations:

• If at first it doesn’t work, don’t give up
• Try recording the speech away from room noise and other people
• The more you use the device the better able it is to recognize your voice
• Plan what you want to say before you start to talk
• Most importantly, writing is actually not so bad with speech-to-text AND long projects are doable when you can speak them into the iPad

Pierce now considers speech-to-text his default option. He reports that speech-to-text on his iPad has changed school for him. I can confirm this: no more sparse written responses, no more complaining about writing time, and no more simmering frustration during written assessments. I can also add that it changed the writing process for several of his fellow classmates. Three of his classmates with dyslexia were clearly inspired, and maybe a little jealous, of Pierce’s new positive attitude and impressive level of written output. They have jumped onboard the speech-to-text bandwagon as well.

I am thrilled to report that Pierce’s written expression is much more aligned with his oral expression. This is big accomplishment for any student, but it is particularly transformative for a boy who is a passionate and talented student held up and frustrated by the mechanic expectations inherent in the school experience. There is no doubt that speech-to-text demands a little initial effort, but I will never dismiss its profound potential again.

Case Study – How Morningside Elementary School Helps Dyslexic Students Succeed

Teacher training and a well-stocked toolbox help dyslexic students succeed at one Atlanta public school.

Dyslexia and Civil Rights: Making Room on the Bus for All Children

My early experiences have become my bridge to understanding dyslexia and the plight of students whose strengths go unnoticed in the classroom.

Building a word-rich life for Dyslexics

A confession: I get a significant thrill from reading research that confirms my personal suspicions.

Rand Center: A Commitment to Accommodations

“Dyslexia robs a person of time; accommodations return it.” Dr. Sally Shaywitz

Everything You Need to Know About Text to Speech for Education

Want to know more about text to speech? Here are the answers to 11 common questions, including information about how to use text to speech effectively in education in order to support, attract, and retain learners.

With the advent of education technology, the learning landscape has changed rapidly. There are more and more ways for learners to consume course content—and both students’ and teachers’ expectations for how educators provide that content are higher than ever.

With the availability of different technology tools leveling the playing field and allowing learners to learn in many different ways, organization leaders, course designers, and teachers must be aware of the many different available content forms—including text to speech (TTS) which digitally “reads” written content out loud.

Audio is an important and growing segment of this education technology revolution, and savvy institutions know how to exploit this powerful medium.

At ReadSpeaker, we are specialists in voice technology. We understand both why and how to implement audio in course work. Our aim is to help educational institutions understand and utilize audio in their educational offerings. To further those aims, we put together this list of the questions that we hear from institutions about TTS and audio-enhanced content for education. More importantly, we provide answers.

Hear for yourself!

1. You hear a lot of acronyms bandied about in the educational technology field. What exactly is TTS?

Text to speech, or TTS for short, converts text into spoken voice output. Not to be confused with speech to text , which converts spoken inputs into written outputs, text-to-speech systems offer a computer-generated voice that “reads” text to the user.

Today’s TTS systems operate on the cloud, embedded in servers, or even on devices alone. Depending on the TTS engine—the software that generates synthetic speech—they’re compatible with virtually any digital text format, including scans of print documents. That leads to powerful educational assistance for students with vision impairments. It supports struggling readers as they learn. And it’s an essential tool for second-language learners working to integrate written and spoken expressions in a new tongue.

But TTS isn’t just an assistive technology; it’s a comprehensive education technology. As we’ll discuss later in this FAQ, TTS provides learning benefits for all students, regardless of circumstances. Text to speech allows the busy adult learner to study, hands-free, while cooking dinner. It offers relief from screen fatigue for online students. Most of all, TTS offers choice , allowing individual learners to customize the education experience to match their unique needs and preferences.

2. Isn’t TTS just providing audio files?

Text to speech engines can indeed create downloadable audio files of spoken text content, typically in the ubiquitous mp3 format. But they don’t stop there. They also provide immediate playback through your application, browser, or learning management system (LMS).

Going a step further, many TTS tools also provide “ bimodal presentation, ” which incorporates accompanying highlighting so that students can read along with the highlighted text as they listen to the content. Text to speech may also be integrated in various other ways so that the student can listen to what they are typing into documents or search engines. Any number of speech-enhanced tools use TTS to provide essential functionality.

Education technology from ReadSpeaker bundles robust TTS capabilities with related learning tools, so students can personalize text consumption. For example, ReadSpeaker’s cloud-based, online tool, webReader, allows students to listen to text content in more than 50 languages—with their choice of over 200 lifelike voices. They can listen to spoken text with a single click (or hotkey), or download an MP3 for offline use.

But webReader also places a variety of tools at their fingertips, including:

• Simultaneous TTS and Text Highlighting —WebReader highlights each on-screen word as it speaks, integrating visual and audio content to aid in comprehension.
• Resizing Text —Enlarge on-screen text with a click or a tap, with or without listening to the content read aloud.
• Text-only Mode —Remove images and other distractions by engaging Text-only Mode, which shows plain text content alone.
• Page Mask —Struggling readers often benefit by using notecards or rulers to focus on a single line at a time. WebReader’s digital Page Mask brings this capability to the screen.
• Text-specific Tools —Highlight a line of text to call up a menu that allows you to listen via TTS, translate words between languages, or look up more information on the text subject without opening a new browser window.

3. What exactly is bimodal presentation?

Bimodal presentation simply refers to information that is presented in both audio and visual formats at the same time: reading a text, listening to it, and even having words (and/or sentences) highlighted along the way.

Many students find that bimodal presentation improves reading comprehension, information retention, and decoding (the process of matching letter combinations to audible sounds). These benefits build student confidence and create a more positive view of reading, setting the stage for a lifetime of learning.

Bimodal content presentation also aligns with Universal Design for Learning (UDL), an education framework recommended by U.S. education policies like the National Education Technology Plan and laws like the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). That brings us to our next question.

4. What is Universal Design for Learning ?

Universal Design for Learning is a way of giving all learners an equal opportunity to learn, preparing the learning environment with flexible tools and materials to better meet the needs of every student.

Both an educational framework and a set of practical recommendations, UDL offers Learning Guidelines organized into three categories:

1. Engagement

The UDL guidelines recommend providing multiple ways for students to engage with educational experiences, providing as much choice and autonomy as possible. That keeps learners motivated.

2. Representation

Here’s where bimodal presentation comes into play. According to UDL, educators should provide multiple means of consuming course content. That includes the ability to customize the way information is presented. That helps students absorb and retain the information you’re trying to teach them.

3. Action & Expression

Give students options for how they complete activities, including physical movement, multiple media, and access to assistive technologies.

Student choice is a recurring theme across all UDL guidelines. When you offer flexible learning experiences, every student can find the strategy that works best for them—and because every learner is different, these strategies will differ considerably. That’s why you need bimodal presentation and appropriate digital learning tools like text to speech.

5. Isn’t text to speech just for blind people, or those with learning disabilities?

When TTS technology first became widely available, educators used it primarily to help students with learning disabilities overcome decoding challenges so that they could concentrate on the meaning of their reading. It was also a useful tool for those with impaired vision. That’s all still true.

In fact, TTS is a powerful tool for improving digital accessibility, a central concern for educators in the age of online learning. The international Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide the gold standard for removing barriers to access for all web users. According to WCAG success criterion 3.1.5, text must be easy to read—below lower secondary education level. Where it isn’t, you must provide a version of the text that doesn’t require high literacy skills. Text to speech is the simplest way to comply with this (and other) WCAG rules.

But to return to the question, TTS serves students with and without disabilities. With today’s learners having become accustomed to many different ways of consuming content, depending on their various circumstances and needs, more and more frequently TTS and audio support are being used by all sorts of learners, whether they’re working with a second language, consuming a large quantity of content, multitasking, or confronting the many other individual scenarios students experience.

6. How exactly does listening help students?

Text to speech and bimodal presentation are facets of UDL, providing a number of flexible ways to meet the needs of a diverse population of individual learners, giving all students an equal opportunity to learn and succeed. While bimodal presentation has been used for accessibility needs for several years, learning professionals are now recognizing the benefits for all students. A considerable amount of research has proven the effectiveness of bimodal learning on student success. According to the research, proven benefits of bimodal content presentation include:

• Improved reading comprehension
• Improved word recognition
• Increased information recall
• Facilitated decoding
• A more positive outlook on reading
• Increased reading time
• Increased ability to pay attention and remember information while reading
• More focus on comprehension instead of decoding words
• Increased endurance for reading assignments
• Improved recognition and ability to fix errors in a student’s own writing
• Helping students with disabilities stay at peer level in all of their subjects
• Improved self-esteem, motivation, and self-confidence

7. Is there any scientific basis to the role of TTS in improving learning outcomes? How can I be sure that this will really help my students?

Much research has been done on the results of using TTS in an educational environment. For example:

• Research from Barcelona University clearly shows how TTS is an efficient tool for higher education.
• A 2021 study by Bruno et al. found that direct instruction with TTS tools improved reading comprehension scores among postsecondary students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• A 2019 meta-analysis by Wood, Moxley, Tighe, and Wagner found that TTS improved reading comprehension scores for students with reading disabilities.

To understand the neurological processes involved in multimodal learning with TTS—and a primer on the value of Universal Design for Learning—watch Dr. Trish Trifilo’s presentation below.

8. Isn’t listening to text “cheating?”

When discussing educational technology and assistive literacy tools, the question often arises whether using text to speech is real reading. How will students learn to read if a computer reads to them? What happens when we take it away?

The issue is not just reading, but the amount of time and energy it takes to read and whether the reader is able to do anything with the information. As Michelann Parr, a specialist on text to speech in education, says:

“I offer that it is not our role to take something away, especially if it is enabling student engagement and self-efficacy…if you introduce TTS, you’ll be amazed at just how far your students can go…”

For more expert guidance on TTS in literacy education, read our in-depth interview with Parr.

9. There are plenty of free solutions out there. Why don’t I just use one of those?

While TTS is proven to help students of all types, there are some variables that can affect outcomes. A big one is the quality of the synthetic voice: Poor voice quality leads to an unpleasant learning experience, which leads to less usage, which keeps students and teachers from realizing the benefits of TTS. Free TTS solutions don’t offer the best-quality voices because they can’t continually reinvest in technological improvement.

ReadSpeaker is always improving. Our proprietary machine learning models allow us to create warm, lifelike synthetic voices that listeners prefer. In fact, research suggests that today’s high-quality TTS voices can actually produce better learning results than either human voices or old text-to-speech engines.

Additionally, ReadSpeaker’s TTS tools include extra literacy features, like those we discussed in Question 2 of this FAQ (read-along highlighting, resizing text, page masks, and more). Free TTS tools tend to be bare-bones, with fewer options for students to choose from. Many are only available for certain content, whereas ReadSpeaker supports online text, Microsoft Office Documents, PDFs, ebook file formats, and much more.

But TTS doesn’t have to be expensive to provide a great experience. Text to speech is actually a surprisingly affordable technology to provide, either on a student-by-student or campus-wide level.

10. It must be difficult to integrate this into content. How do you keep all the content speech enabled?

Text-to-speech technology, such as ReadSpeaker’s suite of audio enhanced learning tools, is surprisingly easy to implement and use. It’s also cost effective. Gone are the days of choosing between robotic voices or voice actors and recording studios. With cloud-based, dynamically produced speech, course content is instantly speech-enabled as soon as it is uploaded. Even better, the advancing state of the art text to speech technology provides high-quality lifelike voices.

Implementations are often just plug-ins or lines of code that take a minimum of staff-hours to implement and maintain. Most major LMS providers offer specific integrations that simply have to be turned on.

This gives educational institutions the ability to easily provide bimodal presentation to all learners. With TTS-enabled courses, lessons, tests, quizzes, assessments, reading assignments, and any other text-based content can be read aloud while students follow along with highlighted text, letting them engage with and absorb content in multiple ways.

11. Isn’t this just a “flash-in-the pan” technology gadget?

Text to speech is being integrated in content around the world, and not only in the education sphere. From government websites to corporations, thought leaders understand and are leveraging the power of speech.

Innovative educational institutions and publishers use ReadSpeaker TTS technology to provide innovative ways to consume content. These organizations include:

• Taylor & Francis
• Derby University
• Oxford University Press
• Erasmus University

ReadSpeaker users find that our technology helps them attract and retain more students, while improving learning experiences and outcomes.

Join the ranks. Let us set up a free, personalized demo so you see how easy it is to integrate audio in your institution.

Have we answered all your questions? If not don’t hesitate to contact us at +44 (0)7483 236 115 or contact@readspeaker.com .

Find out more here.

ReadSpeaker’s industry-leading voice expertise leveraged by leading Italian newspaper to enhance the reader experience Milan, Italy. – 19 October, 2023 – ReadSpeaker, the most trusted,…

Accessibility overlays have gotten a lot of bad press, much of it deserved. So what can you do to improve web accessibility? Find out here.

Where Anthology Ally (formerly Blackboard Ally) stops, ReadSpeaker TTS tools start. Learn how these solutions work together to boost accessibility.

• ReadSpeaker webReader
• ReadSpeaker docReader
• ReadSpeaker TextAid
• Assessments
• Text to Speech for K12
• Higher Education
• Corporate Learning
• Learning Management Systems
• Custom Text-To-Speech (TTS) Voices
• Voice Cloning Software
• Text-To-Speech (TTS) Voices
• ReadSpeaker speechMaker Desktop
• ReadSpeaker speechMaker
• ReadSpeaker speechCloud API
• ReadSpeaker speechEngine SAPI
• ReadSpeaker speechServer
• ReadSpeaker speechServer MRCP
• ReadSpeaker speechEngine SDK
• ReadSpeaker speechEngine SDK Embedded
• Accessibility
• Automotive Applications
• Conversational AI
• Entertainment
• Experiential Marketing
• Guidance & Navigation
• Smart Home Devices
• Transportation
• Virtual Assistant Persona
• Voice Commerce
• Customer Stories & e-Books
• About ReadSpeaker
• TTS Languages and Voices
• The Top 10 Benefits of Text to Speech for Businesses
• Learning Library
• e-Learning Voices: Text to Speech or Voice Actors?
• TTS Talks & Webinars

Make your products more engaging with our voice solutions.

• Solutions ReadSpeaker Online ReadSpeaker webReader ReadSpeaker docReader ReadSpeaker TextAid ReadSpeaker Learning Education Assessments Text to Speech for K12 Higher Education Corporate Learning Learning Management Systems ReadSpeaker Enterprise AI Voice Generator Custom Text-To-Speech (TTS) Voices Voice Cloning Software Text-To-Speech (TTS) Voices ReadSpeaker speechCloud API ReadSpeaker speechEngine SAPI ReadSpeaker speechServer ReadSpeaker speechServer MRCP ReadSpeaker speechEngine SDK ReadSpeaker speechEngine SDK Embedded
• Applications Accessibility Automotive Applications Conversational AI Education Entertainment Experiential Marketing Fintech Gaming Government Guidance & Navigation Healthcare Media Publishing Smart Home Devices Transportation Virtual Assistant Persona Voice Commerce
• Resources Resources TTS Languages and Voices Learning Library TTS Talks and Webinars About ReadSpeaker Careers Support Blog The Top 10 Benefits of Text to Speech for Businesses e-Learning Voices: Text to Speech or Voice Actors?
• Get started

Search on ReadSpeaker.com ...

All languages.

• Norsk Bokmål
• Latviešu valoda

Best speech-to-text app of 2024

Free, paid and online voice recognition apps and services

Best overall

Best for business, best for mobile, best text service, best speech recognition, best virtual assistant, best for cloud, best for azure, best for batch conversion, best free speech to text apps, best mobile speech to text apps, how we test.

The best speech-to-text apps make it simple and easy to convert speech into text, for both desktop and mobile devices.

1. Best overall 2. Best for business 3. Best for mobile 4. Best text service 5. Best speech recognition 6. Best virtual assistant 7. Best for cloud 8. Best for Azure 9. Best for batch conversion 10. Best free speech to text apps 11. Best mobile speech to text apps 12. FAQs 13. How we test

Speech-to-text used to be regarded as very niche, specifically serving either people with accessibility needs or for  dictation . However, speech-to-text is moving more and more into the mainstream as office work can now routinely be completed more simply and easily by using voce-recognition software, rather than having to type through members, and speaking aloud for text to be recorded is now quite common.

While the best speech to text software used to be specifically only for desktops, the development of mobile devices and the explosion of easily accessible apps means that transcription can now also be carried out on a  smartphone  or  tablet . 

This has made the best voice to text applications increasingly valuable to users in a range of different environments, from education to business. This is not least because the technology has matured to the level where mistakes in transcriptions are relatively rare, with some services rightly boasting a 99.9% success rate from clear audio.

Even still, this applies mainly to ordinary situations and circumstances, and precludes the use of technical terminology such as required in legal or medical professions. Despite this, digital transcription can still service needs such as basic  note-taking  which can still be easily done using a phone app, simplifying the dictation process.

However, different speech-to-text programs have different levels of ability and complexity, with some using advanced machine learning to constantly correct errors flagged up by users so that they are not repeated. Others are downloadable software which is only as good as its latest update.

Here then are the best in speech-to-text recognition programs, which should be more than capable for most situations and circumstances.

We've also featured the best voice recognition software .

The best paid for speech to text apps of 2024 in full:

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

1. Dragon Anywhere

Our expert review:

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

Dragon Anywhere is the Nuance mobile product for Android and iOS devices, however this is no ‘lite’ app, but rather offers fully-formed dictation capabilities powered via the cloud. 

So essentially you get the same excellent speech recognition as seen on the desktop software – the only meaningful difference we noticed was a very slight delay in our spoken words appearing on the screen (doubtless due to processing in the cloud). However, note that the app was still responsive enough overall.

It also boasts support for boilerplate chunks of text which can be set up and inserted into a document with a simple command, and these, along with custom vocabularies, are synced across the mobile app and desktop Dragon software. Furthermore, you can share documents across devices via Evernote or cloud services (such as Dropbox).

This isn’t as flexible as the desktop application, however, as dictation is limited to within Dragon Anywhere – you can’t dictate directly in another app (although you can copy over text from the Dragon Anywhere dictation pad to a third-party app). The other caveats are the need for an internet connection for the app to work (due to its cloud-powered nature), and the fact that it’s a subscription offering with no one-off purchase option, which might not be to everyone’s tastes.

Even bearing in mind these limitations, though, it’s a definite boon to have fully-fledged, powerful voice recognition of the same sterling quality as the desktop software, nestling on your phone or tablet for when you’re away from the office.

Nuance Communications offers a 7-day free trial to give the app a try before you commit to a subscription. 

Read our full Dragon Anywhere review .

• ^ Back to the top

2. Dragon Professional

Should you be looking for a business-grade dictation application, your best bet is Dragon Professional. Aimed at pro users, the software provides you with the tools to dictate and edit documents, create spreadsheets, and browse the web using your voice.   

According to Nuance, the solution is capable of taking dictation at an equivalent typing speed of 160 words per minute, with a 99% accuracy rate – and that’s out-of-the-box, before any training is done (whereby the app adapts to your voice and words you commonly use).

As well as creating documents using your voice, you can also import custom word lists. There’s also an additional mobile app that lets you transcribe audio files and send them back to your computer.   

This is a powerful, flexible, and hugely useful tool that is especially good for individuals, such as professionals and freelancers, allowing for typing and document management to be done much more flexibly and easily.

Overall, the interface is easy to use, and if you get stuck at all, you can access a series of help tutorials. And while the software can seem expensive, it's just a one-time fee and compares very favorably with paid-for subscription transcription services.

Also note that Nuance are currently offering 12-months' access to Dragon Anywhere at no extra cost with any purchase of Dragon Home or Dragon Professional Individual.

Read our full Dragon Professional review .

Otter is a cloud-based speech to text program especially aimed for mobile use, such as on a laptop or smartphone. The app provides real-time transcription, allowing you to search, edit, play, and organize as required.

Otter is marketed as an app specifically for meetings, interviews, and lectures, to make it easier to take rich notes. However, it is also built to work with collaboration between teams, and different speakers are assigned different speaker IDs to make it easier to understand transcriptions.

There are three different payment plans, with the basic one being free to use and aside from the features mentioned above also includes keyword summaries and a wordcloud to make it easier to find specific topic mentions. You can also organize and share, import audio and video for transcription, and provides 600 minutes of free service.

The Premium plan also includes advanced and bulk export options, the ability to sync audio from Dropbox, additional playback speeds including the ability to skip silent pauses. The Premium plan also allows for up to 6,000 minutes of speech to text.

The Teams plan also adds two-factor authentication, user management and centralized billing, as well as user statistics, voiceprints, and live captioning.

Read our full Otter review .

Verbit aims to offer a smarter speech to text service, using AI for transcription and captioning. The service is specifically targeted at enterprise and educational establishments.

Verbit uses a mix of speech models, using neural networks and algorithms to reduce background noise, focus on terms as well as differentiate between speakers regardless of accent, as well as incorporate contextual events such as news and company information into recordings.

Although Verbit does offer a live version for transcription and captioning, aiming for a high degree of accuracy, other plans offer human editors to ensure transcriptions are fully accurate, and advertise a four hour turnaround time.

Altogether, while Verbit does offer a direct speech to text service, it’s possibly better thought of as a transcription service, but the focus on enterprise and education, as well as team use, means it earns a place here as an option to consider.

Read our full Verbit review .

5. Speechmatics

Speechmatics offers a machine learning solution to converting speech to text, with its automatic speech recognition solution available to use on existing audio and video files as well as for live use.

Unlike some automated transcription software which can struggle with accents or charge more for them, Speechmatics advertises itself as being able to support all major British accents, regardless of nationality. That way it aims to cope with not just different American and British English accents, but also South African and Jamaican accents.

Speechmatics offers a wider number of speech to text transcription uses than many other providers. Examples include taking call center phone recordings and converting them into searchable text or Word documents. The software also works with video and other media for captioning as well as using keyword triggers for management.

Overall, Speechmatics aims to offer a more flexible and comprehensive speech to text service than a lot of other providers, and the use of automation should keep them price competitive.

Read our full Speechmatics review .

6. Braina Pro

Braina Pro is speech recognition software which is built not just for dictation, but also as an all-round digital assistant to help you achieve various tasks on your PC. It supports dictation to third-party software in not just English but almost 90 different languages, with impressive voice recognition chops.

Beyond that, it’s a virtual assistant that can be instructed to set alarms, search your PC for a file, or search the internet, play an MP3 file, read an ebook aloud, plus you can implement various custom commands.

The Windows program also has a companion Android app which can remotely control your PC, and use the local Wi-Fi network to deliver commands to your computer, so you can spark up a music playlist, for example, wherever you happen to be in the house. Nifty.

There’s a free version of Braina which comes with limited functionality, but includes all the basic PC commands, along with a 7-day trial of the speech recognition which allows you to test out its powers for yourself before you commit to a subscription. Yes, this is another subscription-only product with no option to purchase for a one-off fee. Also note that you need to be online and have Google ’s Chrome browser installed for speech recognition functionality to work.

Read our full Braina Pro review .

7. Amazon Transcribe

Amazon Transcribe is as big cloud-based automatic speech recognition platform developed specifically to convert audio to text for apps. It especially aims to provide a more accurate and comprehensive service than traditional providers, such as being able to cope with low-fi and noisy recordings, such as you might get in a contact center .

Amazon Transcribe uses a deep learning process that automatically adds punctuation and formatting, as well as process with a secure livestream or otherwise transcribe speech to text with batch processing.

As well as offering time stamping for individual words for easy search, it can also identify different speaks and different channels and annotate documents accordingly to account for this.

There are also some nice features for editing and managing transcribed texts, such as vocabulary filtering and replacement words which can be used to keep product names consistent and therefore any following transcription easier to analyze.

Overall, Amazon Transcribe is one of the most powerful platforms out there, though it’s aimed more for the business and enterprise user rather than the individual.

8. Microsoft Azure Speech to Text

Microsoft 's Azure cloud service offers advanced speech recognition as part of the platform's speech services to deliver the Microsoft Azure Speech to Text functionality. 

This feature allows you to simply and easily create text from a variety of audio sources. There are also customization options available to work better with different speech patterns, registers, and even background sounds. You can also modify settings to handle different specialist vocabularies, such as product names, technical information, and place names.

The Microsoft's Azure Speech to Text feature is powered by deep neural network models and allows for real-time audio transcription that can be set up to handle multiple speakers.

As part of the Azure cloud service, you can run Azure Speech to Text in the cloud, on premises, or in edge computing. In terms of pricing, you can run the feature in a free container with a single concurrent request for up to 5 hours of free audio per month.

Read our full Microsoft Azure Speech to Text review .

9. IBM Watson Speech to Text

IBM's Watson Speech to Text works is the third cloud-native solution on this list, with the feature being powered by AI and machine learning as part of IBM's cloud services.

While there is the option to transcribe speech to text in real-time, there is also the option to batch convert audio files and process them through a range of language, audio frequency, and other output options.

You can also tag transcriptions with speaker labels, smart formatting, and timestamps, as well as apply global editing for technical words or phrases, acronyms, and for number use.

As with other cloud services Watson Speech to Text allows for easy deployment both in the cloud and on-premises behind your own firewall to ensure security is maintained.

Read our full Watson Speech to Text review .

1. Google Gboard

If you already have an Android mobile device, then if it's not already installed then download Google Keyboard from the Google Play store and you'll have an instant text-to-speech app. Although it's primarily designed as a keyboard for physical input, it also has a speech input option which is directly available. And because all the power of Google's hardware is behind it, it's a powerful and responsive tool.

If that's not enough then there are additional features. Aside from physical input ones such as swiping, you can also trigger images in your text using voice commands. Additionally, it can also work with Google Translate, and is advertised as providing support for over 60 languages.

Even though Google Keyboard isn't a dedicated transcription tool, as there are no shortcut commands or text editing directly integrated, it does everything you need from a basic transcription tool. And as it's a keyboard, it means should be able to work with any software you can run on your Android smartphone, so you can text edit, save, and export using that. Even better, it's free and there are no adverts to get in the way of you using it.

2. Just Press Record

If you want a dedicated dictation app, it’s worth checking out Just Press Record. It’s a mobile audio recorder that comes with features such as one tap recording, transcription and iCloud syncing across devices. The great thing is that it’s aimed at pretty much anyone and is extremely easy to use. 

When it comes to recording notes, all you have to do is press one button, and you get unlimited recording time. However, the really great thing about this app is that it also offers a powerful transcription service. 

Through it, you can quickly and easily turn speech into searchable text. Once you’ve transcribed a file, you can then edit it from within the app. There’s support for more than 30 languages as well, making it the perfect app if you’re working abroad or with an international team. Another nice feature is punctuation command recognition, ensuring that your transcriptions are free from typos.   

This app is underpinned by cloud technology, meaning you can access notes from any device (which is online). You’re able to share audio and text files to other iOS apps too, and when it comes to organizing them, you can view recordings in a comprehensive file. 

3. Speechnotes

Speechnotes is yet another easy to use dictation app. A useful touch here is that you don’t need to create an account or anything like that; you just open up the app and press on the microphone icon, and you’re off.   

The app is powered by Google voice recognition tech. When you’re recording a note, you can easily dictate punctuation marks through voice commands, or by using the built-in punctuation keyboard. 

To make things even easier, you can quickly add names, signatures, greetings and other frequently used text by using a set of custom keys on the built-in keyboard. There’s automatic capitalization as well, and every change made to a note is saved to the cloud.

When it comes to customizing notes, you can access a plethora of fonts and text sizes. The app is free to download from the Google Play Store , but you can make in-app purchases to access premium features (there's also a browser version for Chrome).   

Read our full Speechnotes review .

4. Transcribe

Marketed as a personal assistant for turning videos and voice memos into text files, Transcribe is a popular dictation app that’s powered by AI. It lets you make high quality transcriptions by just hitting a button.   

The app can transcribe any video or voice memo automatically, while supporting over 80 languages from across the world. While you can easily create notes with Transcribe, you can also import files from services such as Dropbox.

Once you’ve transcribed a file, you can export the raw text to a word processor to edit. The app is free to download, but you’ll have to make an in-app purchase if you want to make the most of these features in the long-term. There is a trial available, but it’s basically just 15 minutes of free transcription time. Transcribe is only available on iOS, though.   

5. Windows Speech Recognition

If you don’t want to pay for speech recognition software, and you’re running Microsoft’s latest desktop OS, then you might be pleased to hear that speech-to-text is built into Windows.

Windows Speech Recognition, as it’s imaginatively named – and note that this is something different to Cortana, which offers basic commands and assistant capabilities – lets you not only execute commands via voice control, but also offers the ability to dictate into documents.

The sort of accuracy you get isn’t comparable with that offered by the likes of Dragon, but then again, you’re paying nothing to use it. It’s also possible to improve the accuracy by training the system by reading text, and giving it access to your documents to better learn your vocabulary. It’s definitely worth indulging in some training, particularly if you intend to use the voice recognition feature a fair bit.

The company has been busy boasting about its advances in terms of voice recognition powered by deep neural networks, especially since windows 10 and now for Windows 11 , and Microsoft is certainly priming us to expect impressive things in the future. The likely end-goal aim is for Cortana to do everything eventually, from voice commands to taking dictation.

Turn on Windows Speech Recognition by heading to the Control Panel (search for it, or right click the Start button and select it), then click on Ease of Access, and you will see the option to ‘start speech recognition’ (you’ll also spot the option to set up a microphone here, if you haven’t already done that).

Aside from what has already been covered above, there are an increasing number of apps available across all mobile devices for working with speech to text, not least because Google's speech recognition technology is available for use. 

iTranslate Translator  is a speech-to-text app for iOS with a difference, in that it focuses on translating voice languages. Not only does it aim to translate different languages you hear into text for your own language, it also works to translate images such as photos you might take of signs in a foreign country and get a translation for them. In that way, iTranslate is a very different app, that takes the idea of speech-to-text in a novel direction, and by all accounts, does it well. 

ListNote Speech-to-Text Notes  is another speech-to-text app that uses Google's speech recognition software, but this time does a more comprehensive job of integrating it with a note-taking program than many other apps. The text notes you record are searchable, and you can import/export with other text applications. Additionally there is a password protection option, which encrypts notes after the first 20 characters so that the beginning of the notes are searchable by you. There's also an organizer feature for your notes, using category or assigned color. The app is free on Android, but includes ads.

Voice Notes  is a simple app that aims to convert speech to text for making notes. This is refreshing, as it mixes Google's speech recognition technology with a simple note-taking app, so there are more features to play with here. You can categorize notes, set reminders, and import/export text accordingly.

SpeechTexter  is another speech-to-text app that aims to do more than just record your voice to a text file. This app is built specifically to work with social media, so that rather than sending messages, emails, Tweets, and similar, you can record your voice directly to the social media sites and send. There are also a number of language packs you can download for offline working if you want to use more than just English, which is handy.

Also consider reading these related software and app guides:

• Best text-to-speech software
• Best transcription services
• Best Bluetooth headsets

Which speech-to-text app is best for you?

When deciding which speech-to-text app to use, first consider what your actual needs are, as free and budget  options may only provide basic features, so if you need to use advanced tools you may find a paid-for platform is better suited to you. Additionally, higher-end software can usually cater for every need, so do ensure you have a good idea of which features you think you may require from your speech-to-text app.

To test for the best speech-to-text apps we first set up an account with the relevant platform, then we tested the service to see how the software could be used for different purposes and in different situations. The aim was to push each speech-to-text platform to see how useful its basic tools were and also how easy it was to get to grips with any more advanced tools.

Read more on how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar .

Get in touch

• Want to find out about commercial or marketing opportunities? Click here
• Out of date info, errors, complaints or broken links? Give us a nudge
• Got a suggestion for a product or service provider? Message us directly
• You've reached the end of the page. Jump back up to the top ^

Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!

Brian has over 30 years publishing experience as a writer and editor across a range of computing, technology, and marketing titles. He has been interviewed multiple times for the BBC and been a speaker at international conferences. His specialty on techradar is Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, covering everything from office suites to IT service tools. He is also a science fiction and fantasy author, published as Brian G Turner.

Grab Sage today and save 100% on subscriptions for a month

Save 15% on Photoshop for three months with this exclusive Adobe deal

How to make a bootable Windows 10 USB

Most Popular

• 2 RIP Fitbit smartwatches – an end we could see coming a mile away
• 3 Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 review
• 4 Adobe Creative Cloud is 65% off for students - just in time for back to school
• 5 I tested a ‘cheap’ LG OLED TV – here’s how it compares to a more expensive OLED TV

Best Speech-to-Text Software for the Education Sector

by Julie Clements | Published on Jul 16, 2021 | Educational Transcription

Speech-to-text software has become ubiquitous among educators and students, serving as an invaluable asset that yields time-saving benefits, enhances writing and communication proficiency, and fosters a more inclusive educational atmosphere. For students, this technology streamlines the transcription of lectures and note-taking, promoting efficiency in their academic work. Likewise, teachers harness its potential to instantly provide feedback and comments on assignments and papers, thereby expediting the grading process. Though speech recognition may encounter occasional accuracy issues, users can readily turn to academic transcription services to rectify them, and ensure meticulous and error-free documentation.

Collaborate with us for impeccable educational transcription services !

Call (800) 670-2809 Today!

Advantages of Speech-to-Text Software for Students and Educators

Speech-to-text software supports students and teachers in many ways.

• Supports students with learning disabilities or those who struggle with handwriting
• Makes educational materials more accessible to students with disabilities, including those with dyslexia, ADHD, or physical impairments.
• Can help students complete assignments and essays more quickly, leaving more time for revision and other activities.
• Enhances students’ writing skills by allowing them to focus on their ideas and content without being hindered by spelling or typing difficulties.
• Speech-to-text can reduce stress for students with test anxiety or those who struggle with handwriting, during exams or assignments.
• Can be used to dictate feedback and comments on assignments and papers, which can significantly speed up the grading process.
• Quickly converts spoken ideas and notes into written text, making it easier to organize and prepare lesson plans and instructional materials.
• Provides captioning for educational videos, an essential teaching tool.
• Eliminates the need to take manual notes and supports multitasking.

Top Speech-to-text Software for Education

Advanced voice recognition programs and apps are available now for computers, tablets and smartphones. Here are 8 top speech-to-text software tools for teachers and students:

• Google Docs Voice Typing: Google Docs Voice Typing is a powerful speech-to-text tool seamlessly integrated into the Google Docs platform. It transforms spoken words into written text in real-time with remarkable accuracy and efficiency, making it a valuable tool for a student taking notes during a lecture. Google Docs Voice Typing offers real-time transcription in multiple languages. Its intuitive interface also incorporates voice commands for formatting and editing, enhancing productivity. Furthermore, the collaborative nature of Google Docs makes it an ideal choice for group projects and real-time collaborative editing, with Voice Typing facilitating this. This tool not only streamlines the writing process but also promotes accessibility and inclusivity, making it a versatile and indispensable resource for students and educators.
• Microsoft Dictate: Microsoft Dictate is a free dictation software add-in for Microsoft Office applications. Using real-time translation technology, Microsoft Dictate automatically converts audio to written text. The add-in can be used in Word, Powerpoint, and Outlook. It offers voice commands for navigation and formatting, and works well for students and teachers already using Microsoft Office. It instantly converts spoken words to written words and is clean, fast, and easy to navigate.
• Dragon NaturallySpeaking: Developed by Nuance Communications, Dragon NaturallySpeaking is a premier speech recognition software known for its exceptional accuracy and versatility. It is useful for students and educators who require advanced features. This robust application empowers users to effortlessly transform spoken words into written text, making it an indispensable tool for students with varying needs. Dragon NaturallySpeaking supports a wide array of voice commands, enabling not only transcription but also navigation, formatting, and editing within documents and applications. With its capacity to adapt to specific vocabularies and work environments, it enhances productivity and efficiency. Dragon NaturallySpeaking is a reliable option for anyone seeking seamless and hands-free text input.
• Otter.ai: For students who require note-taking assistance for meetings, transcribing research interviews, lectures, or any other important voice conversations, Otter is an ideal option. It offers real-time transcription and collaboration features and integrates with various platforms, including Zoom. This AI-powered software provides recording and synchronized speech recognition and can recognize the speaker, and integrates search and keyword extraction. Students can use this software to capture notes from group study sessions, and process public audio data for research purposes. This full-featured, user-friendly note-taking technology designed for the classroom can be activated via the mobile app or browser. Otter.ai offers free and paid versions.
• Verbit: Verbit provides a comprehensive solution for university transcription and captioning needs, serving as a convenient one-stop-shop. This versatile software seamlessly integrates into educational settings, enhancing overall student engagement. Students benefit from real-time lecture captioning and live session transcription, improving their note-taking capabilities. Verbit ensures 99% accurate ADA-compliant transcripts and captions for students with disabilities. It also supports multilingual translation and a TOGGLE feature for text presentation control. The speed view directly displays speech-to-text engine output, and real-time CART solutions are easily scheduled online for a seamless user experience.
• Read&Write by Text help: Read & Write by Text help is a versatile and empowering tool tailored for both students and teachers. It provides not only speech-to-text but also other reading and writing support tools. For students, Read & Write assists with tasks like reading digital content aloud, providing definitions and synonyms, and highlighting text for improved comprehension. It’s particularly beneficial for students with learning disabilities, offering personalized support to accommodate diverse needs. Teachers can leverage its capabilities to create more accessible learning materials and customize content for individual students. Whether it’s improving reading fluency, boosting writing skills, or fostering inclusivity in the classroom, Read & Write by Text help serves as an invaluable resource for educators and learners alike. Read & Write offers both free and premium versions.
• Read text aloud naturally and users can even select different voices and adjust the reading speed
• Solve complex math problems, offering step-by-step explanations and solutions in plain language
• Quickly perform searches and find information about any person, place or thing from various online resources
• Serve as a dictionary and thesaurus by finding definitions, antonyms, synonyms etc.
• iSpeech: With its wide array of speech recognition and text-to-speech capabilities, this versatile tool holds significant promise in the field of education. It can assist both teachers and students in various aspects of the learning process. For educators, iSpeech can be used to convert written content into spoken words, facilitating the creation of audio materials for students. It also supports language learning by enabling students to practice pronunciation and receive instant feedback. Additionally, iSpeech can aid students with disabilities by providing text-to-speech functionality, making educational content more accessible. Its potential in enhancing the learning experience and promoting inclusivity makes iSpeech a valuable asset in the educational sector.

When selecting speech-to-text software for education, consider factors like usability, accuracy, device and software compatibility, and specific student or teacher needs, such as multilingual support or accessibility features. Some options offer free trials for testing before subscribing.

Additionally, it’s important to bear in mind that while speech-to-text software brings many benefits, it also carries some drawbacks and constraints. These encompass challenges like accuracy, contextual comprehension limitations, and sensitivity to background noise, vocabulary constraints, and privacy considerations. Fortunately, students and educators have the option to collaborate with an audio transcription company to have their transcriptions meticulously reviewed and edited, ensuring a high level of accuracy.

Are you looking for accurate, timely, and reliable lecture transcription?

Contact us now!

Recent Posts

10 reasons why businesses need meeting transcription.

Meetings are a key component of any business workflow. When communication is clear, meetings foster collaboration, enhance productivity, efficiency and innovation, and create a positive employee experience. Meeting transcription allows you to maintain accurate written...

Best Practices to Improve Expert Calls Using Transcription

Expert calls are increasingly a vital resource for information exchange, insight collecting, and decision-making. The information shared on these calls is priceless, regardless of whether they are for team meetings, consultancy, or market research. But it might be...

How Interview Transcription Enhances Analysis

Interviews are an essential element of qualitative research. They help you explain, better understand, and explore the interviewees’ opinions, behavior, experiences, phenomena, etc. Asking open-ended questions ensures that in-depth information is collected. Interview...

How and When to Utilize Deposition Summaries

As an attorney, planning, preparing, conducting, and analyzing depositions are an essential and challenging part of the discovery process. While deposition transcription provides you with written records of witnesses’ sworn testimony, it can be a daunting task to...

How to Easily Convert Audio to Text

Transforming audio to text enhances access to the content. Whether you're a student taking lecture notes or just someone who needs to convert audio files to text for personal or business purposes, transcription is a valuable skill. Converting spoken words into...

Related Posts

How Academic Transcription Services Help International Researchers

by MOS Legal | Sep 1, 2023 | Research Transcription , Educational Transcription

Effective communication is crucial when it comes to cross-border research collaborations since ideas and knowledge transcend physical boundaries. Research transcription serves as a link between researchers all around the world. With research transcription services, researchers can overcome

Hybrid Learning: Blending Tradition and Technology for Educational Excellence

by MOS Legal | Aug 11, 2023 | Educational Transcription , Digital Transcription , Lecture Transcription

In recent years, advancements in technology have led to a transformative shift in the field of education. Hybrid learning, also known as blended learning, has emerged as a powerful educational approach that combines traditional classroom teaching with innovative technology..

5 Academic Research Techniques That Will Impress Your Professors

by Julie Clements | Jun 6, 2023 | Educational Transcription

In universities and colleges, research is essential as it increases one’s knowledge and credibility while aiding in gathering data for case studies and systematic investigations. As part of their research, academics and researchers often conduct interviews with individuals relevant to their study’s topic. To accurately capture and record the spoken

Accessibility Tools

• Invert colors
• Dark contrast
• Light contrast
• Low saturation
• High saturation
• Highlight links
• Highlight headings
• Screen reader

HOME | FAQ | AWARD PROGRAM | TESTIMONIALS

• Dyslexia, ADHD and Learning Disabilities Facts
• Know Your Rights
• How To Overcome Stigmas & Build Confidence
• Famous People and Celebrities with Learning Disabilities and Dyslexia
• Assistive Technology
• Assistive Technology Tools
• How to Incorporate Assistive Technology in the classroom
• Google Classroom ™ and Online Teaching for Special Education
• Successful Job Interview Tips for Individuals with ADHD
• ADHD and LD Mental Health
• Text To Speech
• Digital Book Resources
• Speech To Text
• Literacy Suites
• Organization and Study Tools
• Our Technology Award Program
• Assistive Tech Free Tools -TinyWow.com
• Effective Behavioural Tips to Adapt for ADHD Treatment
• Apple iOS 15 Handheld Live Text OCR Readers for Dyslexics & LD
• Trevor Noah’s Journey with ADHD: From ADHD Diagnosis to Success
• 6 writing tips for students with dyslexia and ADHD in college
• How to make websites more accessible and inclusive for people with dyslexia
• Learning Disability Testing and Assessment
• Why Participating in a Sport Can Help Children with ADHD
• Dealing With an ADHD Diagnosis as an Adult
• Learning Disability, Dyslexia, ADHD Know Your Rights
• Signs and Symptoms of Learning Disability
• The Impact of Learning Disabilities on Social Skills
• Facts About ADHD and 10 Celebrities with the Condition
• 5 Questions to Ask Your Child’s Special Education Teacher
• Tips For Foreign Language Learners With Dyslexia
• Learning Disability Blog
• Special Education Laws & Advocacy
• Learning Disabilities Study Skills
• Learning Disability Events
• Learning Disabilities Social Skills
• Dyslexia & Learning Disabilities
• Learning Disability Health & Wellness
• Famous People with Learning Disabilities
• Online LD Resources
• LD & Assistive Technology FAQ
• Learning Disability Assessment
• Schools for Students With Learning Disabilities
• Self Advocacy Links & Resources
• Presentations and Research
• Art Gallery
• Testimonials
• About LDRFA

Speech To Text For Students With Disabilities ,Apps, Tools, and Software

Speech to Text tools are available on your computer through your device, browser or extensions. This technology premiered in 1936 with the first text to speech device and over time continued to develop with more advanced and improved technology. Speech technology installed on computers or devices with different apps and software help anyone with dyslexia or other learning disabilities. 

Table of Contents

History of Speech to Text Technology 

1936 – First Text to Speech Tools 

Believe or not the first speech to text was the world’s first voice electronic synthesizer created in 1936 by Homer Dudley in the Bell Telephone Laboratory in Murray Hill, New Jersey. The speech-to-text- , the first electronic device that could generate continuous human speech electronically became the first text to speech device.

Although, not as efficient as our present-day text to speech the Voder was audible.  According to Smithsonian.com   the Voder “could create 20 or so different buzzes and chirps, which the operator could manipulate using 10 keys, a wrist plate, and a pedal.” 

From the 1950s to ’60s

In the history of speech recognition software technology, this was the era of ‘baby talk’; only numbers and digits could be comprehended. In 1952, ‘ Audrey ’ was invented by Bell Laboratories which could only understand numbers. But in 1962, the ‘shoebox’ technology was able to understand 16 words in English. Later, voice recognition was enhanced to comprehend 9 consonants and 4 vowels.

The U.S. Department of Defense contributed heavily towards the development of speech recognition systems and from 1971 to 1976, it funded the DARPA SUR (Speech Understanding Research) program. As a result, ‘ Harpy ’ was developed by Carnegie Mellon which had the ability to comprehend 1011 words. It employed a more efficient system of searching for logical sentences. There were also parallel advancements in technology such as the development of a device by Bell Laboratories that could understand more than one person’s voice.

Speech to Text Technology grew throughout the 1970s through the 1990’s

There were several breakthroughs in the Speech to Text technology. Contributions from the U.S. Department of Defense supported speech recognition technology from 1971 to 1976 with the development of DARPA SUR ‘s (Speech Understanding Research) program. According to Total Voice Technologies web site, “Harpy” developed by Carnegie Mellon was able to comprehend 1011 words.

Searching for logical sentences was also an ability of Harpy’s. Bell’s technologies were not to be left behind, the company developed a device that could understand more than one person’s voice. 

According to Total Voice Technologies web site timeline, the 1980s proved to be a promising time for Speech to Text technology. Using statistics to determine the probability of a word originating from an unknown sound the hidden Markov model did not rely on fixed templates or speech patterns. This technology was mostly used in industries and business applications. 

In the 80s speech recognition was not flawless, for the speech recognition system to be successful there needed to be a break between each spoken word. 

In the 90’s faster computers and processors helped Speech to Text technology advance. In 1994 Nuance was founded. Nuance deployed its first commercial large-scale speech application in 1996. This application was a call center’s automated answering center.

Marketing call center automation would reduce the staff of call center staff.

Today’s Speech to Text Technology

Today speech technology is everywhere and can recognize spoken words and convert them to text. We interact with speech recognition tools when we call companies with automated customer service. Voice assistants can reply with accuracy in response to answers supplied by the caller.

Currently, all major technology companies have invested heavily in the development of speech recognition. Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, and Google Home are used in homes and speech recognition which can control devices in smart homes. Speech recognition is also used in cars with navigation, making cell phone calls and getting information on restaurants, movie theaters, and stores. 

Speech to text tools for Dyslexia and Dysgraphia

It is very empowering to young dysgraphia or dyslexia students that have a very hard time writing simple sentences when they want to write a bigger story. Speech to Text can be very useful for students when searching for subjects on the internet. However, strange mistakes can happen and cause frustration.

Speech to text software is getting better all the time, but it’s not yet perfect. Sometimes, speech to text has a hard time “understanding” user intent or has a hard time understanding different accents. However, this can be resolved with playback functionality so that your words can be read back to users. This tool helps to ensure the text says what you intended. 

In middle school and high school and college, using speech to text to successfully write something as complex as a paper requires quite a bit of preparation. Planning out the sequence of your ideas, and speaking in complete, fluent sentences is difficult. There will be a lot of redoing and adjusting for the student but if an outline and ideas are well thought out there might be less adjustment. 

Popular Speech to Text Technology Tools

There are multiple popular speech technology tools are currently available on the market. speech-to-text a speech to text software used in schools helps students write and perform to their abilities.

The software takes what they are saying and types it down for the student. They can edit it for more accuracy and clarity and the process is faster as well as gives the student confidence and the ability to get their ideas down in a productive manner. According to the Dragon Speech Recognition Resolution website students to business professionals use the software to enhance their work productivity by “working faster and smarter”.  

Text to Speech Browser Extensions

There are speech to text tools and extensions on your computer and devices that will also give you the ability to speak and it will type in your words. If you are wanting to read back your words enable TTS or Text to Speech, Installing the appropriate extension will enable you to highlight the text you want to read and choose to speak on your extension like chrome browsers or google chrome .  

The Elegant Themes business blog lists “ 10 Best Speech to Text Tools to Speed Up Your Writing Process”. This list includes Google docs voice to text, Window, and Apple dictation and many more. 

Today’s speech technology is creating a positive learning and writing environment for Dyslexia and Dysgraphia students and adults.  Technologies that were mostly created and designed by private industry and the U.S. Government benefit students and adults with Dyslexia and other learning difficulties. While technology improves, the learning environment for these students and adults will also improve and lead them to success.

Below are additional Speech to Text Tools and Resources

• 10 Best Speech to Text Tools to Speed Up Your Writing Process
• 8 Voice-to-Text Software That’ll Help You Work Faster
• Best speech to text app of 2019

Photo by  Alphacolor  on  Unsplash

Related posts:

October 5, 2016

Text-to-Speech In The Classroom

The benefits of TTS and its practical applications are made known by famous personalities such as Stephen Hawking, Jack Chen — Google’s legally blind legal counsel, and India’s Foreign Service Officer Beno Zephine . TTS is also integrated into many government owned websites. The web accessibility initiative prompts web developers to render articles and important documents in audio format.

Diane DeMott Painter , a former special education teacher, claims that students with learning disabilities found success using computer technology, Text-to-speech, and word processor. Most of her students were motivated to write using a computer because it is easier to compose text, and editing and making revisions are more efficient. Misspellings are also corrected instantaneously by a spell-checker program. However, for students with visual and auditory processing deficits, this can still be a challenge.

I felt that my students who have problems with auditory processing and auditory memory, as well as visual processing difficulties may be the very ones who were not making the expected gains in writing. They were having problems even when given the opportunity to use word processing and instructed through a structured phonics based reading/writing program. So, during this past school year, I decided to try to find ways that my students could learn to “hear,” “feel,” as well as “see” how letter sound combinations form words. Since I was working with a structured reading program (The Wilson Reading System) to teach my students the phonetic structure of words, I wanted to see what would happen if I used text-to-speech with this reading program to reinforce basic reading and writing skills.  – Diane DeMott Painter

TTS helped the students to see and hear the sounds of the words they were writing. This helped nurture sound sequencing – internalizing how words are formed and able to recall words from memory. Diane had three assumptions in exploring the use of TTS as an aid in learning: “ 1) text-to-speech will provide auditory feedback which will either confirm or invalidate the correct sounds the children think occur in words; 2) seeing and hearing the sounds that text-to-speech programs produce will provide the students with multi-sensory practice in learning how to write words; and 3) as the students learn to distinguish sounds and think about sound sequence through text-to-speech programs, they will begin to internalize how words are formed each time and will be better able to recall words from memory instead of “sounding out” words and relying on hearing the words spoken back to them as they write. ”

One popular electronic device manufacturer that uses the Text-to-speech technology is LeapFrog. This company developed learning devices such as the Tag reading systems and LeapPad tablets. LeapFrog’s technology has been used in several studies and in Early Childhood classrooms.

Devices developed by LeapFrog offer games that are fun and educational. Most are used to help improve students’ phonological awareness, reading levels, fluency, and comprehension.

Through taking advantage of TTS, we give students, especially those with special needs independence in writing and learning. These are vital to their success.

Reach more audience! Add voice features to websites and apps across all smartphone, tablet and desktop devices. Try ResponsiveVoice — your effortless text-to-speech solution.

Read more: “ What Happens When Students Use Text-to-Speech and Word Predict Programs to Compose Text? ” by Diane DeMott Painter

• Share on Facebook
• Pin this item
• Tweet this item
• Share on Google Plus
• Share on LinkedIn
• Email a friend
• by Engagement Team
• Filed under Uncategorized .
• Tagged assistive , benefit , development , Education , TTS .

Why ChatGPT’s Speech to Text Is the Best I’ve Ever Used

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Why Everyone Should Use a Gaming Keyboard (Even Non-Gamers)

Why i use libreoffice instead of microsoft 365, the 7 best obsidian plugins for mobile, quick links, chatgpt is better than google’s voice typing, what makes chatgpt’s speech-to-text function so good, note-taking using chatgpt on my phone, voice typing using chatgpt on my desktop, key takeaways.

• ChatGPT’s speech-to-text is superior to Google’s, eliminating the need to say punctuation out loud.
• WhisperAI neural network powers ChatGPT for flawless transcription, despite a lack of integration with keyboard apps.
• Use ChatGPT effortlessly on Android, iPhone, macOS, and soon on Windows for efficient note-taking and transcription.

You have to speak it to believe it; ChatGPT’s fantastic speech-to-text function, that is. It’s proved to be far smoother and more precise than some of the most established voice-to-text apps.

Google’s voice typing is a tool I’ve used on and off for years. It comes with the SwiftKey keyboard app and Google’s own Gboard keyboard for mobile phones. It was good for a time—above average, in fact—but not anymore. ChatGPT has leaped ahead of the competition, and the results are slick.

If you’ve ever used Google’s voice typing, you will know how awkward it is to say “comma” or “period” out loud each time you want to add punctuation to your text. In ChatGPT, there’s no need. You can speak as naturally as if you’re having a chat with your friend, and it will effortlessly add punctuation where you would expect it to go.

This makes a huge difference. Take this sentence, for example: “I want to go to the supermarket and buy apples, oranges, watermelon, pears, and cherries.” To dictate it using Google’s voice typing, you would need to say “...apples comma oranges comma watermelon comma pears comma and cherries.” Repeating the word “comma” five times is clunky and unnatural.

ChatGPT does an incredible job of converting speech to text thanks to WhisperAI, an advanced neural network. OpenAI released it as an open-source model aimed at people wanting to develop this technology into useful applications. Which brings us to a key sticking point. ChatGPT’s speech-to-text function is not yet integrated into something like a voice typing keyboard.

Despite this, I have begun using it all the time in my workflow. Even though Google’s voice typing is easily accessible from my keyboard, I end up wasting a lot of time fixing its mistakes. At one point, I started speaking in short fragments—think robocalls and computerized speech—to help it pick up my speech better.

That’s why I am happily using ChatGPT’s speech-to-text with a small workaround. In the end, it’s going to save me far more time and effort, besides letting me talk naturally.

ChatGPT is available on Android , iPhone , and macOS (M1 and later).

Those using Windows computers can expect a desktop app for ChatGPT in late 2024.

I write notes for my articles using pen and paper. This is, ironically, a very low-tech approach for a tech writer! While I enjoy it, eventually I need to get those words into a digital format if they are going to be of any use to me.

My preferred place to transfer my ideas to is a note-taking app. Google Keep, for example, is good because it automatically syncs your notes online and between devices. Or there’s Obsidian, my new favorite way to organize my thoughts into long-term storage. In the long run, it’s best to aim for a note-taking app that works on any device for added convenience.

My process is simple. Open ChatGPT and hit the microphone button, then start speaking. After that, press stop to convert the audio to text. Finally, copy the text and paste it into a note-taking app.

At my desktop, I follow the same process. The app looks nearly identical to the mobile version, so you simply need to press the microphone button to start recording, then press the tick button when you’re done. After this, you can copy the text to where it needs to go, such as a Word document or an email.

Sometimes it’s good to have a record of your transcription directly in ChatGPT. In that case, you can add the line, “Do not comment:” immediately before the transcribed text, then hit enter to add it to ChatGPT’s conversation feed. This stops ChatGPT from replying with a long-winded answer, with the added benefit of maintaining a record of your transcriptions.

There are plenty of things you can do with ChatGPT besides converting speech to text, making it a nice multipurpose app to have on hand.

It won’t be long before this speech-to-text AI model makes its way into voice typing apps or transcription tools. Until then, you can use ChatGPT to produce clean and accurate transcriptions for spots of note-taking, brainstorming, or dictation.

• Productivity
• Speech to Text

Information

• Author Services

Initiatives

You are accessing a machine-readable page. In order to be human-readable, please install an RSS reader.

All articles published by MDPI are made immediately available worldwide under an open access license. No special permission is required to reuse all or part of the article published by MDPI, including figures and tables. For articles published under an open access Creative Common CC BY license, any part of the article may be reused without permission provided that the original article is clearly cited. For more information, please refer to https://www.mdpi.com/openaccess .

Feature papers represent the most advanced research with significant potential for high impact in the field. A Feature Paper should be a substantial original Article that involves several techniques or approaches, provides an outlook for future research directions and describes possible research applications.

Feature papers are submitted upon individual invitation or recommendation by the scientific editors and must receive positive feedback from the reviewers.

Editor’s Choice articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world. Editors select a small number of articles recently published in the journal that they believe will be particularly interesting to readers, or important in the respective research area. The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal.

Original Submission Date Received: .

• Active Journals
• Find a Journal
• Proceedings Series
• For Authors
• For Reviewers
• For Editors
• For Librarians
• For Publishers
• For Societies
• For Conference Organizers
• Open Access Policy
• Institutional Open Access Program
• Special Issues Guidelines
• Editorial Process
• Research and Publication Ethics
• Article Processing Charges
• Testimonials
• Preprints.org
• SciProfiles
• Encyclopedia

Article Menu

• Subscribe SciFeed
• Recommended Articles
• Google Scholar
• on Google Scholar
• Table of Contents

Find support for a specific problem in the support section of our website.

Please let us know what you think of our products and services.

Visit our dedicated information section to learn more about MDPI.

JSmol Viewer

Effectiveness of noise cancelling earbuds in reducing hearing and auditory attention deficits in children with autism.

1. Background

2.1. participants, 2.2. pure tone audiometry, 2.3. noise cancelling earbuds, 2.4. speech perception in background noise, 2.5. attention in background noise assessment, 2.6. device trial, 2.7. listening inventory for education-revised (life-r), 3.1. pure tone audiometry and loudness discomfort levels, 3.2. speech perception in background noise, 3.3. attention in background noise, 3.4. device trial, 3.5. listening and communication disability, 4. discussion, 4.1. clinical implications, 4.2. study limitations, 5. conclusions, author contributions, institutional review board statement, informed consent statement, data availability statement, acknowledgments, conflicts of interest.

• Zeidan, J.; Fombonne, E.; Scorah, J.; Ibrahim, A.; Durkin, M.S.; Saxena, S.; Yusuf, A.; Shih, A.; Elsabbagh, M. Global prevalence of autism: A systematic review update. Autism Res. 2022 , 15 , 778–790. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Lord, C.; Brugha, T.S.; Charman, T.; Cusack, J.; Dumas, G.; Frazier, T.; Jones, E.J.; Jones, R.M.; Pickles, A.; State, M.W. Autism spectrum disorder. Nat. Rev. Dis. Primers 2020 , 6 , 5. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Marco, E.J.; Hinkley, L.B.; Hill, S.S.; Nagarajan, S.S. Sensory processing in autism: A review of neurophysiologic findings. Pediatr. Res. 2011 , 69 , 48–54. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Kanner, L. Autistic disturbances of affective contact. Nerv. Child 1943 , 2 , 217–250. [ Google Scholar ]
• Beers, A.N.; McBoyle, M.; Kakande, E.; Santos, R.C.D.; Kozak, F.K. Autism and peripheral hearing loss: A systematic review. Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. 2014 , 78 , 96–101. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Rosenhall, U.; Nordin, V.; Sandström, M.; Ahlsen, G.; Gillberg, C. Autism and hearing loss. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 1999 , 29 , 349–357. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Do, B.; Lynch, P.; Macris, E.M.; Smyth, B.; Stavrinakis, S.; Quinn, S.; Constable, P.A. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the association of Autism Spectrum Disorder in visually or hearing impaired children. Ophthalmic Physiol. Opt. 2017 , 37 , 212–224. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Tomchek, S.D.; Dunn, W. Sensory processing in children with and without autism: A comparative study using the short sensory profile. Am. J. Occup. Ther. 2007 , 61 , 190–200. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Greenspan, S.I.; Wieder, S. Developmental patterns and outcomes in infants and children with disorders in relating and communicating: A chart review of 200 cases of children with autistic spectrum diagnoses. J. Dev. Learn. Disord. 1997 , 1 , 87–142. [ Google Scholar ]
• Emmons, K.A.; KC Lee, A.; Estes, A.; Dager, S.; Larson, E.; McCloy, D.R.; St. John, T.; Lau, B.K. Auditory attention deployment in young adults with autism spectrum disorder. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 2022 , 52 , 1752–1761. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Kuiper, M.W.; Verhoeven, E.W.; Geurts, H.M. Stop making noise! Auditory sensitivity in adults with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis: Physiological habituation and subjective detection thresholds. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 2019 , 49 , 2116–2128. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Alcántara, J.I.; Cope, T.E.; Cope, W.; Weisblatt, E.J. Auditory temporal-envelope processing in high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorder. Neuropsychologia 2012 , 50 , 1235–1251. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Rance, G.; Saunders, K.; Carew, P.; Johansson, M.; Tan, J. The use of listening devices to ameliorate auditory deficit in children with autism. J. Pediatr. 2014 , 164 , 352–357. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• James, P.; Schafer, E.; Wolfe, J.; Matthews, L.; Browning, S.; Oleson, J.; Sorensen, E.; Rance, G.; Shiels, L.; Dunn, A. Increased rate of listening difficulties in autistic children. J. Commun. Disord. 2022 , 99 , 106252. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Callejo, D.R.; Boets, B. A systematic review on speech-in-noise perception in autism. Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 2023 , 99 , 105406. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Kemner, C.; Verbaten, M.N.; Cuperus, J.M.; Camfferman, G.; van Engeland, H. Auditory event-related brain potentials in autistic children and three different control groups. Biol. Psychiatry 1995 , 38 , 150–165. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Čeponienė, R.; Lepistö, T.; Shestakova, A.; Vanhala, R.; Alku, P.; Näätänen, R.; Yaguchi, K. Speech–sound-selective auditory impairment in children with autism: They can perceive but do not attend. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2003 , 100 , 5567–5572. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Soskey, L.N.; Allen, P.D.; Bennetto, L. Auditory spatial attention to speech and complex non-speech sounds in children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res. 2017 , 10 , 1405–1416. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Keith, J.M.; Jamieson, J.P.; Bennetto, L. The influence of noise on autonomic arousal and cognitive performance in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 2019 , 49 , 113–126. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Ashburner, J.; Ziviani, J.; Rodger, S. Sensory processing and classroom emotional, behavioral, and educational outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder. Am. J. Occup. Ther. 2008 , 62 , 564–573. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Schafer, E.C.; Wright, S.; Anderson, C.; Jones, J.; Pitts, K.; Bryant, D.; Watson, M.; Box, J.; Neve, M.; Mathews, L. Assistive technology evaluations: Remote-microphone technology for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J. Commun. Disord. 2016 , 64 , 1–17. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Keller, M.A.; Tharpe, A.M.; Bodfish, J. Remote microphone system use in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder and language disorder in the classroom: A pilot efficacy study. ASHA 2021 , 30 , 266–278. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Feldman, J.I.; Thompson, E.; Davis, H.; Keceli-Kaysili, B.; Dunham, K.; Woynaroski, T.; Tharpe, A.M.; Picou, E.M. Remote microphone systems can improve listening-in-noise accuracy and listening effort for youth with autism. Ear Hear. 2022 , 43 , 436–447. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Gabova, K.; Meier, Z.; Tavel, P. Parents’ experiences of remote microphone systems for children with hearing loss. Disabil. Rehabil. Assist. Technol. 2022 , 19 , 831–840. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Kent, B.; Smith, S. They only see it when the sun shines in my ears: Exploring perceptions of adolescent hearing aid users. J. Deaf Stud. Deaf Educ. 2006 , 11 , 461–476. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Walker, E.A.; Curran, M.; Spratford, M.; Roush, P. Remote microphone systems for preschool-age children who are hard of hearing: Access and utilization. Int. J. Audiol. 2019 , 58 , 200–207. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Bell, N.; Gibbs, L.; Ham, J.; Howerton, K.; Choi, I.; Lee, J.; Bang, K.H.; Moon, H.-G. Effect of one-size-fits-all amplification in Bluetooth hearing devices for hearing impaired listeners’ speech recognition. medRxiv 2023 . [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Gilmore, J.N. Design for everyone: Apple AirPods and the mediation of accessibility. Crit. Stud. Media Commun. 2019 , 36 , 482–494. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Roup, C.M.; Post, E.; Lewis, J. Mild-gain hearing aids as a treatment for adults with self-reported hearing difficulties. J. Am. Acad. Audiol. 2018 , 29 , 477–494. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Jerger, J.; MM, J.S.P.; Shumrick, D. Measurement of hearing in adults. Otolaryngology 1980 , 2 , 1225–1250. [ Google Scholar ]
• Bentler, R.A. Effectiveness of directional microphones and noise reduction schemes in hearing aids: A systematic review of the evidence. J. Am. Acad. Audiol. 2005 , 16 , 473–484. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Peterson, G.E.; Lehiste, I. Revised CNC lists for auditory tests. J. Speech Hear. Disord. 1962 , 27 , 62–70. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Crandell, C.C.; Smaldino, J.J. Classroom acoustics for children with normal hearing and with hearing impairment. Lang. Speech Hear. Serv. Sch. 2000 , 31 , 362–370. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Sanford, J.; Anton, S. IVA-QS Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test Quick Screen Version [Computer Software] ; BrainTrain, Inc.: North Chesterfield, VA, USA, 2014. [ Google Scholar ]
• Shiels, L.; Tomlin, D.; Rance, G. The Assistive Benefits of Remote Microphone Technology for Normal Hearing Children with Listening Difficulties. Ear Hear. 2023 , 44 , 1049–1060. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Rance, G.; Corben, L.; Delatycki, M. Auditory processing deficits in children with Friedreich ataxia. J. Child Neurol. 2012 , 27 , 1197–1203. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Nelson, L.H.; Anderson, K.; Whicker, J.; Barrett, T.; Muñoz, K.; White, K. Classroom listening experiences of students who are deaf or hard of hearing using listening inventory for education-revised. Lang. Speech Hear. Serv. Sch. 2020 , 51 , 720–733. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Sandford, J.; Turner, A. Manual for the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test ; Braintrain: Richmond, VA, USA, 1995. [ Google Scholar ]
• Danesh, A.A.; Howery, S.; Aazh, H.; Kaf, W.; Eshraghi, A.A. Hyperacusis in autism spectrum disorders. Audiol. Res. 2021 , 11 , 547–556. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Ricketts, T.A.; Hornsby, B.W. Distance and reverberation effects on directional benefit. Ear Hear. 2003 , 24 , 472–484. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Alickovic, E.; Lunner, T.; Wendt, D.; Fiedler, L.; Hietkamp, R.; Ng, E.H.N.; Graversen, C. Neural representation enhanced for speech and reduced for background noise with a hearing aid noise reduction scheme during a selective attention task. Front. Neurosci. 2020 , 14 , 846. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Brons, I.; Houben, R.; Dreschler, W.A. Effects of noise reduction on speech intelligibility, perceived listening effort, and personal preference in hearing-impaired listeners. Trends Hear. 2014 , 18 , 2331216514553924. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Ohlenforst, B.; Wendt, D.; Kramer, S.E.; Naylor, G.; Zekveld, A.A.; Lunner, T. Impact of SNR, masker type and noise reduction processing on sentence recognition performance and listening effort as indicated by the pupil dilation response. Hear. Res. 2018 , 365 , 90–99. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Lakshmi, M.S.K.; Rout, A.; O’Donoghue, C.R. A systematic review and meta-analysis of digital noise reduction hearing aids in adults. Disabil. Rehabil. Assist. Technol. 2021 , 16 , 120–129. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Corbett, B.A.; Constantine, L.J. Autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Assessing attention and response control with the integrated visual and auditory continuous performance test. Child Neuropsychol. 2006 , 12 , 335–348. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Stavrinos, G.; Iliadou, V.; Pavlou, M.; Bamiou, D.-E. Remote microphone hearing aid use improves classroom listening, without adverse effects on spatial listening and attention skills, in children with auditory processing disorder: A randomised controlled trial. Front. Neurosci. 2020 , 14 , 904. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Koohi, N.; Vickers, D.; Warren, J.; Werring, D.; Bamiou, D.-E. Long-term use benefits of personal frequency-modulated systems for speech in noise perception in patients with stroke with auditory processing deficits: A non-randomised controlled trial study. BMJ Open 2017 , 7 , e013003. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Rance, G.; Tomlin, D.; Yiu, E.M.; Zanin, J. Remediation of Perceptual Deficits in Progressive Auditory Neuropathy: A Case Study. J. Clin. Med. 2024 , 13 , 2127. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Sandford, J.; Turner, A. Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test Interpretation Manual ; Braintrain: Richmond, VA, USA, 2009; p. 86. [ Google Scholar ]
• Rance, G.; Dowell, R.C.; Tomlin, D. The effect of classroom environment on literacy development. Npj Sci. Learn. 2023 , 8 , 9. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Tomlin, D.; Dillon, H.; Sharma, M.; Rance, G. The impact of auditory processing and cognitive abilities in children. Ear Hear. 2015 , 36 , 527–542. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Klatte, M.; Lachmann, T.; Meis, M. Effects of noise and reverberation on speech perception and listening comprehension of children and adults in a classroom-like setting. Noise Health 2010 , 12 , 270–282. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Gomes, H.; Wolfson, V.; Halperin, J.M. Is there a selective relationship between language functioning and auditory attention in children? J. Clin. Exp. Neuropsychol. 2007 , 29 , 660–668. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Zanin, J.; Rance, G. Functional hearing in the classroom: Assistive listening devices for students with hearing impairment in a mainstream school setting. Int. J. Audiol. 2016 , 55 , 723–729. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Williams, Z.J.; Suzman, E.; Woynaroski, T.G. Prevalence of decreased sound tolerance (hyperacusis) in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis. Ear Hear. 2021 , 42 , 1137–1150. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Reynolds, S.; Miller Kuhaneck, H.; Pfeiffer, B. Systematic review of the effectiveness of frequency modulation devices in improving academic outcomes in children with auditory processing difficulties. Am. J. Occup. Ther. 2016 , 70 , 7001220030p1–7001220030p11. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Schafer, E.C.; Florence, S.; Anderson, C.; Dyson, J.; Wright, S.; Sanders, K.; Bryant, D. A critical review of remote-microphone technology for children with normal hearing and auditory differences. J. Educ. Audiol. 2014 , 20 , 3–13. [ Google Scholar ]
• Schafer, E.C.; Kirby, B.; Miller, S. Remote microphone technology for children with hearing loss or auditory processing issues. Semin. Hear. 2020 , 41 , 277–290. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Gabova, K.; Meier, Z.; Tavel, P. Why do many children who are hard of hearing not use remote microphones to compensate for their hearing loss? Heliyon 2022 , 8 , e10590. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Saunders, J.C.; Kaltenbach, J.A.; Relkin, E.M. The structural and functional development of the outer and middle ear. In Development of Auditory and Vestibular Systems ; Academic Press: Cambridge, MA, USA, 1983; pp. 3–25. [ Google Scholar ]
• Purkait, R. Progression of growth in the external ear from birth to maturity: A 2-year follow-up study in India. Aesthetic Plast. Surg. 2013 , 37 , 605–616. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Schafer, E.C.; Mathews, L.; Mehta, S.; Hill, M.; Munoz, A.; Bishop, R.; Moloney, M. Personal FM systems for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and/or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): An initial investigation. J. Commun. Disord. 2013 , 46 , 30–52. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Rance, G.; Maier, A.; Zanin, J.; Haebich, K.M.; North, K.N.; Orsini, F.; Dabscheck, G.; Delatycki, M.B.; Payne, J.M. A randomized controlled trial of remote microphone listening devices to treat auditory deficits in children with neurofibromatosis type 1. Neurol. Sci. 2022 , 43 , 5637–5641. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]

Click here to enlarge figure

Share and Cite

Zanin, J.; Tomlin, D.; Rance, G. Effectiveness of Noise Cancelling Earbuds in Reducing Hearing and Auditory Attention Deficits in Children with Autism. J. Clin. Med. 2024 , 13 , 4786. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13164786

Zanin J, Tomlin D, Rance G. Effectiveness of Noise Cancelling Earbuds in Reducing Hearing and Auditory Attention Deficits in Children with Autism. Journal of Clinical Medicine . 2024; 13(16):4786. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13164786

Zanin, Julien, Dani Tomlin, and Gary Rance. 2024. "Effectiveness of Noise Cancelling Earbuds in Reducing Hearing and Auditory Attention Deficits in Children with Autism" Journal of Clinical Medicine 13, no. 16: 4786. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13164786

Article Metrics

Article access statistics, further information, mdpi initiatives, follow mdpi.

Subscribe to receive issue release notifications and newsletters from MDPI journals