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Voice recognition products-an occupational risk for users with ULDs?
1Head of EMAS, Health & Safety Executive, 1 Hagley Road, Birmingham B16 8HS, UK.
Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England)
|October 29, 2003
Summary
Voice recognition systems (VRS) can cause vocal dysfunction, especially in individuals with upper limb disorders (ULDs). Early risk assessment and ergonomic evaluation are crucial before implementing VRS for these users.
Area of Science:
- Speech and Hearing Sciences
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Voice recognition systems (VRS) convert speech to text or control equipment.
- Applications include medical reporting, surgery, and assistive technology for individuals with upper limb disorders (ULDs).
- Vocal dysfunction cases related to VRS use were identified from a specialized laboratory database.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe four cases of vocal dysfunction linked to voice recognition software.
- To highlight potential risks associated with VRS use, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Main Methods:
- A database search was conducted using the keywords 'voice recognition'.
- Four relevant cases were identified from a total of 4800 records.
- Case reports detailing symptom onset and characteristics were analyzed.
Main Results:
- All identified cases involved VRS implemented to aid individuals with ULDs unable to use standard input devices.
- The case reports provided specific details on the onset and nature of the vocal dysfunction experienced.
Conclusions:
- The findings underscore the importance of risk assessment before adopting VRS.
- Consideration of ergonomic factors in voice use is essential, especially for individuals with pre-existing work-related ULDs.