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January 29th, 2020

Double Your Writing Speed and Improve Accuracy by Switching from Typing to Voice-Typing

 

There are many uses for voice-typing, such as essay writing and note taking. Dictation software really grew in popularity in the medical community. Doctors found that they could save time documenting their appointments and notes by speaking them aloud instead of taking the time to handwrite them or type them out. As dictation software became more popular, it also got more advanced. Voice-typing got easier and contained fewer errors.

 

Now, the software is common among a variety of professionals and industries. People all over the world are dictating their notes, articles, speeches, and more. But what are the actual benefits of voice-typing? Keep reading to learn how to double your writing speed and improve your accuracy by switching from typing to voice-typing.

 

What is Voice-typing?

Voice-typing is also known as dictation, and it involves translating audio to text. A software program utilizes a programming interface, such as Google Speech API, to take the words as you speak them and type them for you. All the user has to do is talk. This type of API can be used to translate audio into text, but software must be used to convert the API into a usable interface.

 

Many dictation software options also offer voice commands to bold, italicize, underline, and alter the text in other ways. You can modify the text as you speak or go back and change it once you are finished dictating. There are two main types of dictation software that transcribes your speech into text: back-end dictation and front-end dictation.

 

Back-end dictation and transcription services

With back-end dictation, a third-party service takes a recording of your dictated text and uses a combination of digital and human services to transcribe the audio. Your recording is transcribed by a computer program before being edited by a professional transcriptionist.

 

This process takes a considerable amount of time because you have to speak into a handheld device to record your speech and wait for the transcription to be checked by a secretary. Even digital transcription services are checked and edited by a human.

 

Front-end or digital dictation services

Front-end dictation is a fully automated program that provides an immediate transcription of your text. This type of program is purely digital and utilizes speech-recognition software to provide instant results. The dictation software picks up the words as you speak and puts them on your computer screen in almost real-time, making this method much faster than back-end dictation.

 

Programs using digital dictation aim for audio to text transcriptions without the interference of humans. The software creates an accurate transcription on its own, or relies on additional technology to correct errors.

 

Speed Test: Typing vs. Dictation

Is dictation faster than typing? That is the question most people ask when looking into dictation software. If you spend a lot of time typing for work or a hobby, you may be asking yourself the same thing.

 

The average person types between 38 and 40 words per minute, which equals 190 to 200 characters per minute. For a professional typist, that number can be a lot faster at 65 to 75 words per minute on average. Consider how fast you type. Are you ever frustrated by the amount of time it takes you to get your thoughts on the screen?

 

With dictation software, you can transcribe speech at speeds of more than 150 words per minute. Not to mention, dictation software is improving each year and increasing these speeds on a regular basis. The speed available with voice-typing is more than three times faster than typing for the average person. This difference in speed seems to be consistent for multiple languages, including English and Chinese according to a study by the Association for Computing Machinery.

 

So, what is the verdict on the speed test? Dictation, or voice-typing, is considerably faster than typing. If you are looking to save time, dictation software is likely your answer. It is no wonder dictation is faster than typing; the fastest speaker in the world could speak 637 words per minute, while the world’s fastest typist could type 216 words per minute.

 

Dictation also makes it easier to get your thoughts down in an efficient manner. Instead of pausing to consider each word choice or grammatical construct, you can simply speak. This flow of words results in content that is easier to read because it usually features shorter, and less complex sentences. Content created with voice-typing is easier to share as well because you can simply upload your file directly to a specific program or transfer text to another document with the click of a button.

 

Which Method is More Accurate?

It is not enough to simply be fast; the method you use for taking notes or writing documents must also be accurate. There would be no time-saving benefit at all if you had to edit your document extensively after creating it. So, is dictation or typing more accurate?

 

In the past, dictation software was notorious for being full of errors. Voice automation technology was not up to the task of handling real-time entry for dictation. Thankfully, dictation software has come a long way over the years, and it is more accurate than ever before.

 

Back-end transcriptions or transcription services often contain more errors than purely digital transcriptions, but both types of dictation have improved considerably. The error rate for entry with dictation software is 5.3% on average, while the error rate for entry with typing is 11.22%. However, the error rate for a final transcribed text is about 1.3% for dictation and only 0.79% for typing.

 

So, which method is more accurate? Text produced through voice-typing is likely to have more errors than text that is typed. However, the difference in error rates is minimal. The good news is that if you choose to dictate your document, you will not have to spend too much time correcting errors. You should review your final transcript with a careful eye, though to ensure it is accurate.

 

Some people prefer to edit their document as they go while others like to edit the full document once it is completed. Typing allows you to make edits while you write, but it can slow down your writing process. If you prefer to edit your work all at once, dictation software is likely the best fit for your workflow. You can quickly dictate your text without pausing to make changes every few words or sentences.

 

Are There Additional Benefits to Dictation?

In addition to faster speeds, dictation offers more benefits to professionals who spend a lot of their day typing. Voice-typing can help ease the strain on your muscles and joints, especially if you sit at a desk all day.

 

People who spend hours typing can develop carpal tunnel syndrome by gripping too tightly or pounding on the keyboard. Voice-typing gives your hands and wrists a break, and it can improve your typing speeds by lessening the strain on these joints. With dictation software, you do not even have to lift a finger to transcribe thousands of words in a single sitting.

 

If you prefer to walk or move around while at work, dictation software gives you the freedom to move and work at the same time. You can use a treadmill desk or simply pace around the room to give your back and neck a break from sitting while using voice-typing to take notes or write documents. Health professionals have found considerable benefits of standing over sitting for extended periods of time, and dictation software can help you achieve your health goals.

 

Who Benefits from Dictation Software?

Anyone can use dictation software, but voice-typing has become more prevalent in some professions than others. The practice of voice-typing tends to be more common for professionals who have to take considerable notes or do extensive documentation.

 

Medical dictation services and legal dictation services are two examples of how voice-typing is used today. Both legal and medical professionals have to take copious notes on their cases and include a lot of information in their files in a limited amount of time. Voice-typing makes the process much faster and smoother, saving time and reducing errors. There are even ways to integrate dictation software directly with medical or legal software.

 

Dictation software is also a great option for essay writing. If you have a long paper to write or notes to take quickly, you can benefit from voice-typing. The process of voice-typing allows you to get your thoughts on paper in an efficient manner and save time instead of typing the entire document.

 

Conclusion: Are You Ready to Double Your Typing Speed?

No matter which profession you are in, you can benefit greatly from voice-typing. Dictation software enables you to work faster with considerable accuracy, while improving your health and lessening the strain on your wrists and hands. The benefits of voice-typing are undeniable.

 

If you are looking for an affordable and accurate dictation software, Blue-Maria is your answer. Blue Maria provides accurate transcriptions for more than 120 languages in a program that is fast and easy to use. Sign up today for 30 free minutes!



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