Choosing the right microphone can play an important role in ensuring the quality of your voice dental notes with ambient AI.

This guide will walk you through important considerations when purchasing a microphone and some suggested models. 

Our Co-Founder Hannah uses this inexpensive (£30) wireless lapel microphone from Amazon. She clips it onto her scrubs and plugs in the receiver and adapter to her desktop computer to get started.

Why Choosing the Right Microphone Matters

Good microphones are essential for maximising the potential of Kiroku’s voice features. 

The right microphone ensures that you have high-quality recorded audio with clearly captured speech and minimal background noise. In turn, this leads to better-quality transcripts and means our AI can write more accurate notes.

A carefully chosen microphones ensure you’re leveraging Kiroku’s capabilities to the fullest, creating a seamless blend of technology and professionalism.

Remember, you can sign up or try out Kiroku’s voice features at home using the built-in microphone on a laptop or iPad, but the quality of the audio may not be ideal, resulting in a poor transcription. 

Your desktop work computer is unlikely to have a microphone, which is why we recommend investing in a good wireless microphone.

Key Considerations When Buying a Microphone

Lapel microphones are usually designed to pick up what the wearer says and filter out other noise. This could be useful if you want only your voice picked up by the AI, but note that you may need to repeat information said by your patient, nurse, or anyone else in the room.

Desk microphones may be omnidirectional, which means they are better at picking up sound from across the room. These may also be useful if you want to summarise your notes at the end of an appointment and don't want to wear a microphone during your patient consultation.

When selecting a microphone for your dental practice, consider these factors:

Audio Quality

• Look for microphones with noise-cancelling features to filter out ambient sounds common in dental clinics.
• Superior audio quality is key to ensuring your notes are accurate and error-free.
• We also recommend minimising background noises, such as the radio, for the best experience.‍

Connection Type

Choose a microphone style that suits your practice’s workflow and setup:‍

• Wireless Lapel Microphones: Compact and wearable, perfect for hands-free operation. These can be discretely clipped onto your scrub collar or pocket.‍
• Desktop Microphones: Ideal for stationary setups, for example, if you are looking to transcribe sections, or create your notes at your computer after the appointment. 

‍Connectivity Options‍

• Ensure compatibility with your existing devices, so think about how the microphone can connect to your practice computer. 
• Common options include USB for plug-and-play convenience, Bluetooth for wireless setups, or a mix of both. 
• Most wireless microphones require plugging in a receiver to your computer - look at models that come with an adaptor for use with your desktop.‍

Durability‍

• Dental practices can be busy environments, so opt for robust, durable microphones that can withstand daily use.
• You may also wish to buy a model that comes with a second microphone so that you have a backup in case the battery drains or one is misplaced.‍

Sterilisation‍

• Look for materials that are easy to clean and sanitise.
• You will need to ensure you maintain sterilisation standards for your mic e.g. wipe with alcohol wipes or use UVC sterilising box.‍

Budget‍

• Good microphones are available at various price points - we recommend some below but it’s worth doing some research.
• Determine your budget and prioritise features that align with your needs, where possible take advantage of return windows to test whether the product meets your requirements and how you like to practice.
• Remember, a good microphone is an investment in your practice’s efficiency and accuracy.‍

Portability‍

• If you’re moving around your patient, between rooms or transcribing appointments as they happen, a lightweight, portable wireless microphone that can be clipped onto your scrubs is a practical choice.
• A second microphone may also be useful - one can be charging while the other is in use so that if your battery runs out you can easily swap without losing functionality.
• Desk microphones work well if you write your notes on your computer as they can be fixed in position.

Recommended Microphones for Dentists Using Kiroku

Here are some of the best microphones to consider:

IUMAKEVP

• UK* ~£28 - https://amzn.to/3PVlAFa
• AUS/NZ ~A$30 - https://amzn.asia/d/6PVogcC
• USA ~$26 - https://a.co/d/eKqXbs1

BOYA BY-V20 V2.0

• UK* ~£45 - https://amzn.to/3PPOeaW
• AUS/NZ ~A$65 - https://amzn.asia/d/gGpUfb4
• USA ~$63 - https://a.co/d/5k0XQ3v

BOYA 2 Ultra Mini Mic

• UK* ~ £54 - https://amzn.to/4hz419P
• AUS/NZ ~ $85 - https://amzn.asia/d/0Bva1fF
• USA ~ $45 - https://a.co/d/2gZx6PQ

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Blue Yeti USB Microphone

• UK* ~ £120 - https://amzn.to/4hrNoxk
• AUS/NZ ~ $185 - https://amzn.asia/d/bgBaKSc
• USA ~ $100 - https://a.co/d/g3acFxy

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Razer Seiren V2 X USB Condenser Microphone

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• UK* ~ £100 - https://amzn.to/3EzFnrg
• AUS/NZ ~ $90 - https://amzn.asia/d/hQJHQnO
• USA ~ $100 - https://a.co/d/4dpHqCc

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RØDE Wireless GO II Ultra-compact

• UK* ~ £300 - https://amzn.to/3WxLQcI
• AUS/NZ ~ $440 - https://amzn.asia/d/i2Cq1bv
• USA ~ $300 - https://a.co/d/fkOK1aQ
  ‍

USB-C to USB-A Adaptor (if not already included)

• UK ~ £4 https://amzn.eu/d/6YxvUgw
• AUS/NZ ~ $8.50 https://amzn.asia/d/0ko7IU4
• US ~ $8 https://a.co/d/epzps7Z

*As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Remember that Amazon often has a generous returns policy should you want to experiment with different microphones to suit your set up and workflow.

Tips for Optimal Microphone Performance

To ensure the best results, follow these tips for microphone usage:

Positioning

Place the microphone close to the source of sound without obstructing your practice.

Avoid placing it too far away, as this can compromise audio clarity. Note that omnidirectional microphones, often found in desk microphones, can be pretty good at picking up other speakers, so you may need to experiment with distance.

We recommend clipping wireless microphones to your scrub collar or pocket so that they are near your mouth, as lapel microphones are primarily intended to capture what the wearer says.

Environment

Minimise background noise by closing doors and windows, and turning the radio off or down.

If you are letting Kiroku’s voice features listen in to your appointment to write your notes, try to speak during quieter times e.g. not when using drills or other loud equipment.

Maintenance

Clean your microphone regularly using appropriate cleaning tools to prevent the build-up of dust or debris, which can impact performance.

Testing

Test your setup periodically to ensure the microphone is capturing sound accurately.

Adjust settings or reposition as needed for optimal clarity.

Firmware Updates

If your microphone has software or firmware, keep it updated to benefit from improvements and new features provided by the manufacturer.

Backups

Have a backup microphone on hand in case your primary device encounters issues.

Try Your New Mic with Kiroku's Voice Features

Selecting the right microphone is a game-changer for dentists leveraging Kiroku’s voice features. By investing in a quality device, you’ll enjoy smoother workflows, more accurate notes, and improved patient interactions. 

Explore the recommended models above and find the one that best suits your practice’s needs. With the perfect microphone, Kiroku can truly transform the way you work - making your practice more efficient and enhancing the care you provide to your patients.

Sign up to Kiroku today and you’ll have 14 days to try these voice features out and see how quick and easy it is to write your dental notes!

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