I've thought about ordering this external sound card to help me with my 
Zoom issue, but I don't think it would work for what I'm trying to do. 
As I understand it, I'd have to wear two sets of headphones, one to hear 
the screen reader coming from the sound card and another to hear and 
speak into Zoom on the computer.


I do think that what the host does affects how my computer behaves. For 
example, when I Zoom with friends, I can use a microphone without a 
headset, and things seem to work well. When people try doing that at 
work, we all hear echos and other feedback.


On 3/7/2021 2:35 PM, Steve Hoad wrote:
> What about this idea?
> It is a 2 channel device that plugs in your USB port from AT Guys.
>   Aluminum USB Sound Adapter for Windows/Mac + USB Extension Cabl•
> Model: usb-sound3
> • Shipping Weight: 0.45lbs
> • Manufactured by: generic
> $12.00
> Now packaged with a handy USB extension cable, for more flexibility.
> Have you ever wished you could play music or audio without the chatter
> of your screen reader going over the speakers? Do you want an
> affordable audio device to take with you while you travel? Our
> affordable USB sound card is easy to use and is the solution for your
> portable audio needs.
> About the size of a thumb drive, our plug and play USB audio device is
> compatible with both Windows (XP or later), Mac, and Linux. Simply
> plug the device into an available USB port and your computer will
> usually recognize the card and set it up in seconds. It comes with
> both speaker and microphone jacks and has sturdy aluminum housing.
> Includes a 90-day warranty against defects.
> Plus, we've included a 6-inch USB extension cable. Now, you can plug
> in our USB sound card, and not cover up any nearby ports.
> Features
> • 3D stereo USB audio adapter.
> • USB 2.0 Hi-Speed specification.
> • Compatible with USB 1.1, 2.0, and 3.0
> • Connectors: USB type A, 3.5MM stereo output jack, 3.5MM microphone
> input jack.
> • No external power required.
> • Plug & Play, no drivers needed.
> System requirements
> • Windows: XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10 (Both 32-bit & 64-bit versions)
> • Mac OS 8.6 or above
> • 6-inch USB extension cable included
>   Web: https://www.atguys.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=277
>
>
>
> On 3/6/21, Ana G <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> I think the topic of Zoom with screen readers is complicated. I use Zoom
>> at work with a headset and microphone, and other people still hear the
>> screen reader.
>>
>>
>> The version of Windows 10 I'm running at work is not current, so
>> Narrator is buggier. On that version of Narrator, I don't have the
>> option to send the screen reader to a different sound card.
>>
>>
>> Mostly I use NVDA with Zoom at work, and after much searching, I finally
>> found the commands for changing The soundcard for NVDA. The command is
>> NVDA+ctrl+s, then tab once. I'll have an opportunity to try it next week.
>>
>>
>> At home, I've experimented with Jaws and the Soundcard settings, which
>> are located in the Jaws Utility menu. Sometimes it works, but not always.
>>
>>
>> The long and the short of it is that I suspect some behavior is
>> determined by the host.
>>
>>
>> To make my life easier I do the following:
>>
>>
>> Sometimes, I turn the screen reader off once I'm in the session. This
>> isn't idea, especially if I have to keep track of things like chats, but
>> sometimes it's more practicable.
>>
>>
>> Sometimes I just prepare to tap the ctrl button as needed. I've found
>> that some screen-reader chatter is not unwelcome. For example, many
>> people don't mind hearing that someone came or left the meeting. But a
>> lot of screen reader chatter is disruptive, so I tap the ctrl key
>> frequently.
>>
>>
>> Most of the time, I use the headset controls to mute myself. I have a
>> Logitech; I think it's an H540. I hit the headset mute button as soon as
>> I know I'm in the call. Then I can explore the screen, adjust settings,
>> and listen to my screen reader all I want. When it's time for me to
>> speak, I unmute using the headset and immediately tap the ctrl key to
>> stop people from hearing that I'm unmuted.
>>
>>
>> What I do depends on the specific situation.
>>
>>
>> On 3/5/2021 10:59 PM, Albert Ruel wrote:
>>> Zoom meetings done with a screen reader should always have a headset and
>>> microphone, either built-in or separate. It’s the only way to isolate the
>>> screen reader sound from your voice input.
>>>
>>> Thx, Albert
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>> On Mar 5, 2021, at 6:40 AM, Duane Farrar <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>> I have a Windows 10 desktop PC computer running JAWS 2021 as my screen
>>> reader. I have a USB webcam that also acts as my microphone. It is mounted
>>> on top of my 23-inch display screen. On either side of the display screen
>>> are my separate speakers for the computer's audio output. These are
>>> connected to and powered by a separate sub-woofer box underneath my desk.
>>> These speakers connect to the computer's sound card in the back of the
>>> desktop box via a standard 3.5 MM jack. There are also available jacks for
>>> speakers/headphones and microphones on the front of the desktop unit.
>>>
>>> When I am connected to a Zoom session my webcam microphone will pick up
>>> the computer speaker audio and this is often problematic when I am trying
>>> to use JAWS to navigate around the screen or JAWS is reporting things that
>>> are happening on the screen, such as a new user joining the meeting or
>>> updates in the chat and Q&A areas. Everyone else connected to the meeting
>>> can also hear this audio output so I usually have to mute my computer
>>> unless I need to speak, which can be a real annoyance, especially in an
>>> animated discussion with friends.
>>>
>>> How have others solved this problem? Should I acquire a pair of headphones
>>> with a built-in microphone, or even a separate USB microphone? Can I route
>>> the JAWS output to the headphones and other computer audio to the external
>>> speakers? What are your recommendations?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Duane
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>      VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
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>


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