What is Speech Recognition?

In computer science, speech recognition (SR) is the translation of spoken words into text. It is also known as "automatic speech recognition", "ASR", "computer speech recognition", "speech to text", or just "STT". Some SR systems use "training" where an individual speaker reads sections of text into the SR system. These systems analyze the person's specific voice and use it to fine tune the recognition of that person's speech, resulting in more accurate transcription.

Healthcare

 

In the health care domain, speech recognition can be implemented in front-end or back-end of the medical documentation process. Front-End speech recognition is where the provider dictates into a speech-recognition engine, the recognized words are displayed as they are spoken, and the dictator is responsible for editing and signing off on the document. Back-End or deferred speech recognition is where the provider dictates into a digital dictation system, the voice is routed through a speech-recognition machine and the recognized draft document is routed along with the original voice file to the editor, where the draft is edited and report finalized. Deferred speech recognition is widely used in the industry currently.