In today’s digital age, video meetings have become an integral part of our professional lives. However, technical issues like echoes can be a major distraction and hinder productive conversations. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution to this problem—Sidetone. In this article, we’ll explore what Sidetone is, why it’s important, and how to use it effectively to ensure crystal-clear audio during video meetings.
What Is Sidetone and How Can It Help You?
Understanding Sidetone
Sidetone is a technology that allows users to hear their own voice in their ear when speaking into a microphone while wearing a headset. This feature provides a valuable opportunity to adjust volume levels and assess sound quality, ensuring that others can hear you clearly during a video call or meeting. Fortunately, most modern PCs and devices allow users to easily enable or disable Sidetone as needed.
The Importance of Sidetone
Though some individuals might not initially see the value in hearing their own voice, Sidetone offers several advantages in the context of video meetings.
Call Confirmation: With Sidetone, users can confirm that their call is connected. This can prevent the awkward scenario of speaking for minutes on end, only to realise that no one else heard a word due to a dropped call.
Headset Functionality: Sidetone also serves as a helpful indicator that your headset is working correctly. During video meetings, ensuring that others can hear you is essential, and Sidetone provides reassurance that your communication tools are operational.
Volume Adjustment: Sidetone enables users to regulate their speaking volume. Being too loud or too quiet can be distracting to other participants and undermine the meeting’s purpose, making volume control crucial for effective communication.
Echo Troubleshooting: While Sidetone is designed to provide an acceptable level of voice feedback, excessive echoes may indicate a need for troubleshooting. Identifying and addressing these audio issues can lead to improved meeting outcomes.
When to Use Sidetone
The versatility of Sidetone allows users to enable or disable it on their PCs based on their preferences and requirements. Employing Sidetone is particularly valuable during video and voice calls, as it helps keep the conversation on track by providing real-time feedback on audio quality.
Furthermore, Sidetone can be beneficial for users who lack devices with automatic echo cancellation technology. In some cases, these technologies may unintentionally reduce human speech, making it challenging for participants to hear each other clearly. However, Neat devices offer a solution to this issue.
Enabling Sidetone on Windows
For Windows users, enabling Sidetone is a straightforward process:
- Open the Control Panel and navigate to Hardware and Sound, then Sound.
- Select the Recording tab.
- Double-click on your headset device.
- Click on Properties, and then go to the Listen tab.
- Check the box for “Listen to This Device.”
- Click Apply to enable Sidetone.
Disabling Sidetone on Windows
If you find Sidetone distracting and wish to disable it:
- Go to the Control Panel and choose Hardware and Sound, then Sound.
- Select the Recording tab.
- Double-click on the desired headset or device.
- Click on Properties and go to the Transmit Properties window, then choose the Listen tab.
- Uncheck the box for “Listen to This Device.”
- Apply the changes and click OK to close the window.
Improve your sound with JPL
Sidetone is a valuable tool that enhances the audio quality of video meetings by providing real-time voice feedback. Whether you choose to use Sidetone consistently or selectively to troubleshoot audio issues, it undoubtedly improves communication efficiency. Moreover, JPL devices offer automatic echo cancellation, further ensuring seamless conversations during video meetings. By implementing these features, you can make the most of every meeting and enjoy clear, distraction-free communication. Explore JPL headsets and video conferencing devices to experience the benefits of Sidetone and echo cancellation technology today. Contact Us today to find out about our lastest products and how JPL products can improve your business.
