How to Always Be Heard and Understood by Auracle

Auracle uses incredible speech recognition technology but there are a few simple things you can do if you ever feel like Auracle is not hearing you properly or not understanding your answers. This guide explains exactly how to make sure you are heard clearly and understood every time.

Part 1: How to Be Heard

1. Speak clearly and louder than background noise

Always speak clearly. If there is background noise, speak louder than the noise around you.

Even though Auracle’s speech recognition is strong, it cannot override loud environmental sounds. Outdoors, in busy rooms, or near traffic, your voice must be clearly louder than the background.

In a quiet space, you can speak normally, very quietly, or even from across the room, as long as your microphone sensitivity is set correctly.

2. Adjust your microphone sensitivity

You can adjust your microphone sensitivity directly inside the Study view:

• Tap the microphone icon at the bottom
• Or tap the listening indicator while the app is listening

From there, you can test your microphone and increase the gain.

Auracle allows you to increase mic gain up to five times the default level of your device’s microphone.

At maximum gain, in a quiet room, Auracle should be able to:

• Hear you whisper
• Hear you speaking very quietly
• Hear you from across the room

If it still struggles in a quiet environment, increase the gain.

In noisy environments, increasing gain helps, but speaking louder than the background noise is still essential.

Part 2: How to Be Understood Every Time

Being understood is slightly more nuanced than simply being heard. Here are the key principles.

1. Short words are harder to recognise

Single words and very short phrases are naturally more difficult for speech recognition systems.

Why? Because short words lack context. Without surrounding words, the system cannot easily determine which word you intended to say. It may:

• Confuse it with a similar sounding word
• Fail to detect it entirely

The solution: Add extra words

If your answer is a short word, add another word before or after it.

The extra words do not matter. They are ignored. As long as you say the correct answer somewhere in your speech, Auracle will mark it correct. This gives the speech recognition system enough context to decide correctly.

2. Say your answer twice

Another very effective technique is to say your answer twice. If Auracle seems unsure, repeat everything:

• Repeat short words
• Repeat short phrases
• Repeat full sentences

This guarantees you are providing enough audio information for accurate recognition. If pronunciation is slightly off, repetition often solves the issue immediately.

3. iOS Web App Users: Wait for the Beep

If you are using iOS, the web app, a browser (like Chrome or Safari), or your phone’s built-in speaker, then there is an important limitation.

On iOS web apps, Auracle must turn off the microphone while audio is playing through the phone speaker. Because of this:

You must wait for the beep before speaking.

After a question finishes, there is a small gap. When you hear the beep, that is when listening begins. If you start speaking before the beep:

• Auracle will not hear the beginning of your answer
• It may only hear the end
• It will likely mishear you

4. Bluetooth headphones on iOS

If you are using Bluetooth headphones on iOS, this limitation should not apply. In that case:

• The microphone stream can remain active
• Listening should begin immediately after the question

If it does not, report it as an issue and the team will fix it.

5. Do not speak, then pause before your answer

Auracle is optimised for speed. As soon as you stop speaking, Auracle assumes you have finished and immediately submits your answer for checking. It then stops listening.

This means if you say “Um…”, pause, and then say the answer, the app may stop listening during the pause and never hear your answer.

Better approach

Instead of pausing, keep the microphone stream alive by continuing to speak. For example:

• Say a long “uhhh” and then immediately say your answer
• Or keep speaking continuously while thinking

You can say things like: “Hmm, let me think about that one… what is it… I think maybe it is…” Then say the answer. That works perfectly.

The key rule is simple: If you stop speaking, Auracle assumes you are finished. If you keep speaking, Auracle keeps listening.

6. Pronunciation matters

Speak clearly. If you are studying a foreign language, pronunciation must be accurate. Even small differences in sounds can change recognition results. Clear, confident speech gives you the best outcome.

If a Card Just Will Not Work

Very rarely, despite doing everything right, a specific card may refuse to be recognised correctly. If that happens:

1. Suspend the card
2. Learn it another way
3. Return to it later

Missing a card occasionally isn't the end of the world. You can always revisit suspended cards later.

If you believe there is a recognition issue, contact the Auracle team. Include:

• Your device
• Whether you were using the web app or native app
• Whether you were using speakers or headphones
• Exactly what happened

Detailed reports help us improve the system for everyone.

Summary: The Most Important Tips

• Speak clearly.
• Give the system enough context.
• Do not speak then pause before your answer.
• Wait for the beep on iOS web.
• Adjust your mic gain if needed.

Follow these principles and Auracle will hear you and understand you every time.