Value Of Voice Writing Training

By Carol Adams


A career path that is making a comeback is that of court reporting and medical transcriptionists. The tools that are available provide new ways to perform these types of jobs without having to learn the old shorthand techniques. There is still a need for those that have extremely fast typing skills, but many of the positions are using a different technique to get the job done. Voice writing training provides the needed skills in order to perform these jobs by voice rather than by typing.

The way it works is that the person doing the recording repeats each word verbatim into a microphone mask combination. The positions are usually located in courts and depositions as well as hospitals and clinics. The person has to achieve extreme accuracy because both fields may have lives depending on the exact wording used.

There are several tools available to help in this industry. The stenomask is the first piece of equipment to learn how to use. The mask blocks out all sound outside the mask. The reporter will place the mask over their mouth and speak into it. There will be one or two microphones embedded in the mask to get a great recording. In most cases, the person only has to whisper because it is very sensitive. Once the recording is complete, they will use transcription software to create the written version.

Stenographers have to learn special equipment or writing skills. They will either use shorthand to write out the words they hear, or they will use a special keyboard that allows them to write faster. These are both good and accurate ways to do the job but have their downfalls. Many people either don't know how or can't learn special ways of writing. With a voice reporter, the skill is only in being able to accurately hear and repeat what is said.

Being certified helps advance a career. It is not difficult to get certified since several schools offer this as a six or twelve-month course. They will teach the equipment and techniques to get accurate information. They also teach specialized language and common words used in the medical and legal professions.

The value of this type of system is very high. While writing in shorthand and even in longhand can provide the needed information, it is much easier to get behind or miss something. There may be several reporters working at the same time to avoid loss of information. Having the ability to repeat, verbatim, the words that are spoken creates a much faster method because there is no worry about slowing down over cramped fingers or hands.

Using voice transcription software makes it even faster. Often, hiring a transcriptionist to manually write out the words spoken from the recording later can endure hours of work. With advances in this type of software, they can upload the file to the software and have it perform the task. Editing will have to be done after to ensure accuracy, but the accuracy is usually pretty close the first time through.

Decades ago a court reporter invented the technology that is still in use today. Moving from writing and shorthand, they were able to speed up the process and ensure a much faster way of providing an accurate record of the proceedings. Transcribing it afterward provides the final written record.




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