Voice Vs. Steno
The Difference Between
Stenography
Stenotype machines do not have the same keyboard as your laptop. In fact, Court reporters everywhere learn a version of shorthand, similar to learning a different language. This shorthand along with the stenotype machine assist the court reporter in increasing their writing speed while maintaining a 95% word accuracy rate.
Voice
The weird looking mask that voice writers use is called a steno mask. Much like court reporters who use the machine, voice writers learn a type of shorthand in order to improve writing speed. However, voice writers learn vocal shorthand. They speak the vocal shorthand into the mask which silences what the court reporter says while recording the shorthand so that a transcript can be created later. Voice writers also must maintain 95% accuracy.
Steno Vs. Voice
While both steno and voice have advantages and disadvantages no one method is better. What works for one court reporter may not for another. For example, there are many different shorthand methods, but each court reporter or school chooses what they believe to work best for them and their students. In the same way each prospective court reporter must choose how they will keep record. When it comes to voice writing students, they tend to complete their training programs quickly and the equipment necessary to voice write costs about half as the equipment used for steno, however, there are much fewer training programs and Voice is only used in the court room in 26 states. Steno, of course, is allowed in all states and although it costs a little more time and money there is a high demand for skilled stenotype users. How ever you chose to make the record, whether it is with your voice or your fingers The College of Court Reporting is ready and able to take on new students. We also assist our graduates with job placement as long as they need.
Steno Mask
Steno Machine
(Includes examples of shorthand)