I have been really paying attention to sound quality since starting telepractice. There are a few key things to consider when trouble-shooting sound quality.

  1. How is my sound? – Do I have a lot of ambient noise I want to reduce (e.g., kids in the background)? What is my current microphone (e.g., webcam + mic, headset +mic, standalone mic)? What population am I working with?
  2. How is my client’s sound? – Do they have a webcam+mic, standalone mic, or perhaps headset with mic? What is their internet connection like?

VALUE HEADSET + MIC

I currently use a basic MPOW headset with mic that has been very helpful during telepractice. It really cuts out a lot of my background noise (e.g., kids) and provides decent sound for my patients online. I haven’t had any complaints!

As I work with many children with motor speech concerns, I know that my current headset + mic is appropriate, in addition to my internet quality. However, I would like to make it even easier for them to hear and detect the sounds such as /f/ , /s/, /sh/, /th/, /r/, /w/, etc.

HIGH QUALITY STANDALONE MIC

For the reason above, I have been considering getting a professional mic for some time. I ordered one and am eagerly waiting for it to arrive! Multiple reviewers on Youtube indicate that “Yeti” is the go-to brand for condenser mics, and that they will be applicable for my home purposes.

I have also been toying with the idea that any long-term pediatric clients with speech or audition goals should also be purchasing their own headset + mic so that I may better be able to detect their speech errors. This is an investment, so I’m not sure that a standalone mic like the Yeti will be appropriate, but definitely a decent pair of headsets and/or something they may possibly already own (e.g., many gamers already have excellent headsets). If I can hear them more clearly, paired with the video, I hope it will make it easier for both of us and reduce the ‘zoom fatigue’ that comes with straining to hear/listen/see.

Who knows! Maybe the condenser mic will give my children an advantage! The clearer my speech can be to them, the better their experience and progress should be! However, it will also be very important to consider internet connections! Are you interested in improving your sound quality during telepractice? Here are the links to the above-mentioned items on Amazon:

  1. Mpow 071 USB Headset/ 3.5mm Computer Headset with Microphone Noise Cancelling, Lightweight PC Headset Wired Headphones, Business Headset for Skype, Webinar, Cell Phone, Call Center
  2. Blue Yeti USB Mic for Recording & Streaming on PC and Mac, 3 Condenser Capsules, 4 Pickup Patterns, Headphone Output and Volume Control, Mic Gain Control, Adjustable Stand, Plug & Play – Blackout

The contents of this blog post are of my own opinion. The content and information contained are not meant to substitute professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your speech-language pathologist, physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your child’s condition. 

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