Fact · Dictation
1 to 3inches
For a handheld microphone, Nuance's Dragon guidance is to keep the microphone element 1 to 3 inches from the mouth, not directly in front of it.
Checked against its source on October 16, 2026
In the source's own words
“Keep the microphone element about 1 to 3 inches away from your mouth.”
Microphone placement (Dragon for Mac help), Nuance Communications, Nuance Communications, Dragon for Mac online help, n.d., Positioning a hand-held microphone.
Open the original- What it measures
- The same Nuance page, section on a hand-held microphone. It says not to hold the microphone directly in front of the mouth, but below or to the side, to avoid breathing noise.
- What it does not show
- A handheld position depends on how the microphone is held, so the range is for a steady grip. Dragon's guidance, not an independent test.
Source
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