Hardware

 

Do I purchase the headset microphone hardware directly from PerioPal?

No. You will order the recommended headset hardware (ANC microphones with the external Buddy 6G USB sound adapter) from our authorized audio vendor, Speech Recognition Solutions.

Speech Recognition Solutions is a private firm that offers PerioPal users the highest quality products at an excellent price. Please view their 2 week return policy.

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How do I order compatible headset and USB sound device?

We recommend users purchase compatible microphone hardware directly from our recommended audio hardware specialists - Speech Recognition Solutions.  They offer PerioPal users exclusive pricing.

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What is PerioPal's policy on headset repair or exchanges?

PerioPal does not supply or repair the microphone hardware. We will help you find the best product at the best price as well as give you training on its proper use with PerioPal. Please view the 2 week return policy from Speech Recognition Solutions

If a hardware issue occurs after the two week purchase period from Speech Recognition Solutions, please contact the numbers below for warranty claims and manufacturer's technical support:

Andrea:   800.707.5779 or 631.719.1800
Buddy (Insync Speech Technologies): 905.488.9719

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My computer is not close to my operatory chair, how long is the Andrea headset cord?

The PerioPal-compatible Andrea headset has a 7-foot cord. A USB extension cord (Best Buy or Radio Shack) is recommended for more length. The USB extension cord is highly recommended for computers with USB ports on the back panel or if they are stored in a cabinet.

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If I use a different headset microphone, will PerioPal provide support?

We will help you as long as you are using a USB headset but cannot promise that our efforts will be successful.

We highly recommend recommended Andrea/Buddy USB hardware -- they have a long and successful history of use with PerioPal. Since many sound cards do not supply enough voltage to power the noise cancellation circuitry, we consider it ESSENTIAL to use the ANC microphones with the external Buddy 6G USB sound adapter.

NOTE: With Windows 7 - XP Mode it is recommended that you use the Andrea/Buddy combination.  We have tested and found it is successfuly recognized by the Device Manager in Windows 7 - XP Mode. Other types of headset hardware have not been tested or reported by users. 

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Is it possible to record exams in a noisy environment?

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With the recent introduction of Active Noise Canceling technology, the recommended high quality microphones and USB sound device will filter out background noise very efficiently. You can record with PerioPal in a noisy clinical environment with excellent results.

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Are there any office designs that do not work with PerioPal?

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If your office design is completely open without ANY barriers such as cabinets, walls or doors between PerioPal and high frequency sounds (handpieces or ultrasonic scalers from nearby clinicians), please contact PerioPal for more information.

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Why do I need a USB sound card device?

With speech recognition, you need a proper sound card. Most computer sound cards are not shielded properly; so they pick up electronic noise from within the computer enclosure. This distorts the sound signals from even the best microphone making speech recognition difficult or impossible.

Your USB Sound Device is designed to sit outside the computer so unwanted noise from within the computer is not picked up.

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Why do I need the Buddy 6G sound device?

We have tested them all. The Buddy USB device allows the sound signals to be digitized immediately before they enter the microphone enabling fast and accurate speech recognition.

Voice recognition for periodontal exams is a sophisticated technology requiring high quality hardware for recording accuracy. Settling for less accuracy is simply not acceptable when it comes to documenting periodontal data not to mention the time it takes to correct errors!

Other products may work for evaluating the software or for training at home, but are not recommended with PerioPal in a noisy clinical environment.

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Can I use a wireless headset?

No. As we mentioned earlier, the Andrea Headset microphone connects directly to the Buddy USB sound device. The spoken PerioPal commands are immediately digitized enabling fast and accurate speech recognition.

In today’s dental environment, there is a lot of noise disharmony. Interior walls are constructed differently as more high speed and ultrasonic equipment emerges. We found the wireless headsets for voice-driven periodontal exams unreliable in the dental operatory.

Note:  Most speech experts agree that wireless headsets are suitable for communication devices and for speech dictation in a quiet environment but have limited success for accuracy in a noisy setting. Please check back. Voice technology is improving.

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