Nowadays, nearly everyone has a smartphone. According to research, about 80% of American adults use messaging apps on a daily basis. And guess what? Most of these apps feature a “ text to speech ” function. So what is text to speech, and how does it work? Let's find out. What Is Text-to-Speech? Simply put, text-to-speech is the conversion of text into audio. To achieve this, most text-to-speech engines use digital voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to listen to your text and then generate audio that you can play back. While most people think of text-to-speech when it comes to machines, the technology also exists in the form of applications for mobile phones. These apps can read aloud long documents and even give you the option of having the computer speaker in the background while you use another app or website. The first known text-to-speech product was created in 1952 and was called the “Electronic Talking Book.” Since then, we've learned a lot about how to make text-to-speech sound natural and how to incorporate human speech into electronic devices. Today, text-to-speech is used in various ways to make life easier for people with special needs or those who want to read something aloud to themselves. Why Use Text-to-Speech? As noted, most people use text-to-speech for the sake of those with special needs. But there are several other ways that text-to-speech can improve your life. Let's take a look. One of the great things about text-to-speech is that it can allow you to read something aloud, even if you're not exactly good at reading. In fact, you might find that text-to-speech improves your reading comprehension because you have to listen more intently. In this way, it's like playing the “audio book” of “Hamlet,” only you're doing it on your smartphone or tablet instead of in the traditional way. Using text-to-speech, you can also practice your pronunciation and learn how to speak the English language. Many people use digital voice assistants to practice their speech and listen to how others speak. This can help them improve their speech, both in terms of speed and accuracy. How Can Text-to-Speech Help Those With Dyslexia Or Other Special Needs? Those who have dyslexia or other forms of reading disabilities can benefit greatly from using text-to-speech. In fact, one study found that those with dyslexia who listened to text-to-speech versions of popular children's books improved their reading comprehension by 17% compared to those who read the books in their original format. What's more, other studies have found that those who used text-to-speech software to listen to books reported that their reading level had increased by 1.5 years after just six weeks of use. For people with other special needs, such as those who are colorblind, text-to-speech can also be a great help. One study from 2018 showed that people with color blindness and dyslexia who used text-to-speech tools to read books aloud outperformed those who read the books in their original format. In particular, participants who used text-to-speech software to read aloud were 33% more likely to get all the details right compared to those who read the books in their original format. Additionally, those who used the tools had higher levels of comprehension and engagement during the reading session. So not only does text-to-speech help people with dyslexia and other forms of reading disabilities, but it can also help people with other forms of special needs. How Can Text-to-Speech Enhance My Gaming Experience? If you're a gamer, you might also enjoy the additional immersive and cinematic qualities that text-to-speech can bring to games. When playing on a console, you can put down the controls and pick up your mobile phone to listen to audio books, news briefings, or even music and podcasts. If you have a game that incorporates lots of text, you can also use text-to-speech to read through important text messages or emails during gameplay, which enhances your overall gaming experience. How Can Text-to-Speech Help In My Academic Life? In your academic life, you might want to read something helpful or exciting during exam periods. Whether you're studying for an upcoming test or need some inspiration for an essay, text-to-speech can be a great way to ensure that you understand the content you're consuming. When you're taking a test or doing an essay, you might want to give yourself some extra time to study by playing some games or listening to music, or even watching some movies or shows. Additionally, many universities now provide accessible classrooms where audio equipment is available for those who need it. So even when you're not struggling with your studies, you might find that going back to school is more comfortable when accompanied by some good old-fashioned audio books. It makes the time pass faster and helps you get your work done effectively. And remember, if you're feeling stressed or struggling with a certain assignment, you can always contact your teacher and ask for some help. What Kind Of Content Can I Listen To? There are hundreds of different types of audio books, television shows, and music that you can listen to with a text-to-speech app. In addition, the content is automatically updated so you never have to worry about getting tired of listening to the same things over and over again. And, most importantly, the choice is completely unlimited. However, if you have a certain taste in music, you might want to consider what types of music are being produced and where you can find it. In some cases, you might find that the produced music doesn't match the lyrics you're hearing, which can sometimes be difficult to follow. In other cases, the music might be difficult to understand at first, but after several listens, you'll find that it begins to grow on you and you want to listen to it more often. Is Text-to-Speech Safe? Just like any other form of entertainment technology, text-to-speech is not safe for everyone. As with any technology, there are risks associated with using it. To begin with, the content that you consume through text-to-speech apps and services is not always appropriate for children and might contain content that could be upsetting or even dangerous. For this reason, don't expose your children to this content and make sure that they don't have access to apps that can read aloud books or listen to podcasts containing mature content. Additionally, some people might not want to be exposed to certain content due to religious or political beliefs, personal preferences, or other reasons. So you might want to think twice about listening to content that you wouldn't want your parents to know about. On the other hand, if you're going to listen to an audio book during your morning commute, you might as well take a walk on the wild side and listen to what your favorite author has to say. After all, it's only for a few minutes before you get back on the road to work. Conversely, If I Have A Question About Something, Can I Contact The Support And Get Help? In terms of support, most companies offer support through either apps or websites, depending on the type of product you're using. For example, if you have a product that you purchased online, you can often find the contact information of the seller in order to contact them directly should you have any questions about the product. In terms of getting help, many products have support numbers or emails that you can use to get in touch with the company. Additionally, many companies offer online tutorials and frequently asked questions that you can use to learn more about their products. In some instances, you might find that the company's FAQ section doesn't answer all your questions. In such a case, you can use the contact form on their website to get in touch with a customer service representative. Companies like Bluehost ensure that you can get help quickly and easily through their extensive online documentation and 24/7 support team. If you have any questions about setting up a website, using text-to-speech to read aloud your blog post, or using any of their hosted services, they're a great place to start.
text to speech
