title: Smartphone speech-to-text applications for communication with profoundly deaf patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Visual communication aids, such as handwriting or typing, are often used to communicate with deaf patients in the clinic. This study aimed to establish the feasibility of communicating through smartphone speech recognition software compared with writing or typing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty doctors and medical students were timed writing, typing and dictating a standard set of six sentences appropriate for a post-operative consultation, and the results were assessed for accuracy and legibility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean time for smartphone dictation (17.8 seconds, 95 per cent confidence interval = 17.0-18.7) was significantly faster than writing (59.2 seconds, 95 per cent confidence interval = 56.6-61.7) or typing (44 seconds, 95 per cent confidence interval = 41.0-47.1) (p < 0.001). Speech recognition was slightly less accurate, but accuracy increased with time spent dictating.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smartphone dictation is a feasible alternative to typing and handwriting. Slow speech may improve accuracy. Early clinical experience has been promising.
authors.affiliation: Peninsula Radiology Academy,Plymouth,UK.
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Lyall
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT Surgery,University Hospitals Bristol,UK.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Clamp
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT Surgery,University Hospitals Bristol,UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hajioff
mesh_terms: D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D003638:Deafness / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D010820:Physicians / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000068997:Smartphone; D013060:Speech; D049250:Speech Recognition Software; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D060145:Text Messaging; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Cell Phones; Cochlear Implantation; Communication Aids for Disabled; Communication Methods; Persons With Hearing Impairments; Postoperative Care; Speech Recognition Software; Total; Writing