Psychophysically determined user acceptable oral reading speed (UAORS) for an 8-h work day

• Psychophysical protocol can be employed to determine maximum acceptable oral reading speed (UAORS).
• A rate of 121 words per min (range 118–124) at 95% CI could be considered an acceptable oral reading rate.
• A period of 2 h and 20 min of oral reading is adequate to exert same vocal load as 8 h.
• Voice/Speech recognition software developers need to understand the impact of background noise on UAORS. Future studies are required.

Speech input as a form of hands-free input modality has gained popularity over the last decade. At present, there are professions (e.g., medical and legal professionals) who are using this technology (continuous speech) for extended periods of time. Prolonged use of voice-enabled applications might result to voice fatigue and potentially vocal nodules. However, studies providing guidelines on acceptable oral reading speed for an 8-h duration are not available. An experiment using a psychophysical methodology was conducted to determine the user acceptable oral reading speed (UAORS) for an 8-h day. Testing conducted on 10 males indicated that mean speed of 121 words per min could be considered an acceptable oral reading speed for an 8-h day with a 40 dB background noise. A period of 2 h and 20 min of oral reading was also found to be adequate to exert same vocal load as 8 h. Results from this study could be incorporated to set thresholds by designers of speech software in order to prevent vocal fatigue. The acceptable oral reading speed derived in this study could also be used as a guideline for professionals who use their vocal chords for extended periods of time such as teachers, lawyers, clergy, and cheerleaders.