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I know someone who is extremely old and had very bad hearing and uses Skype to contact people.

She uses a Logitech C920 webcam sat on top of her monitor with a speaker either side of her monitor.

The speakers are turned up…very loud, and the logitechs omnidirectional microphones end up picking up the sound from the speakers which means the person on the other end of the video call can hear themselves talking because of this.

I can’t make her wear earphones, and I can’t get her to turn down the speakers.

So what other options are there? Better placement of the speakers? Maybe behind the monitor to block the microphone picking up the sound through the speakers?

I could turn down the microphone sensitivity but then that would affect it picking up the sound of the person talking too.

Skype has some settings in that do dampen the other person hearing themselves but they can still hear themselves, just quieter.

6 Spice ups
2

Perhaps consider buying a dedicated microphone, one with a filter to only take in the sound coming directly at it, rather than around it. Maybe a lapel mic?

5 Spice ups
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May be out of the question where expense is concerned but:

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A directional microphone may be the solution you’re looking for. But it means another device on the user’s desk, and potentially moving the speakers further back from the microphone (moving them somewhere the microphone doesn’t pick them up as clearly).

Something from the Logitech Yeti line would likely work - but ensure to check the pickup pattern - you want something other than omnidirectional. Cardioid or Bidirectional are probably best for this case.

2 Spice ups
5

Can she mute the webcam mic in software somehow (like Skype) when she’s not talking?

When I call an individual or join a conference call in skype I always mute my mic when I’m not talking so as not to cause any unnecessary feedback.

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Yes. directional. And mute the camera mic.
Failing to have one, omnidirectional with foam rubber wrapped around it, or piece of that foam pipe insulation cut to fit, along with a cone to direct the speaker noise away from the foam & mic.

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Any feedback?

4 Spice ups
8

Not sure if you meant that to be funny, but I nearly spit coffee at my screen. :joy:

7 Spice ups
9

When the opportunity arises…

Always, coke cola.

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It’s interesting because I have the same webcam at home and use it in the same configuration a lot. I have never had a complaint about feedback.

Perhaps the drivers for the webcam can be updated?

1 Spice up
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Hi.

Realistically the two best options don’t always work with non-savvy people.
Best: Headphones and a good mic.

You can try moving the speakers further forward, so they’re pointed away from the camera. the mics in the camera are omni-directional, but it might help a bit.
You may also be able to install a noise-removal program for the microphone, though this might be more than the computer is capable of and introduces complexity with the skype settings.
If possible, a directional mic will help, as they only pickup sound in a particular pattern, usually in front. but again, complexity and more devices, and it would prefer to be up and close to the person speaking to be best used.

Some of these options might be a bit more than even you’d want, so sorry about that, its just about trying to beat physics at the end of the day.

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@spiceuser-y5vyv

How did you get on?

1 Spice up
13

Here are a few things I would check.
First, make sure there is absolutely not another microphone in the system. Check in device manager for hidden devices, and spend some time making sure there is only one Webcam device installed.

Second, check that the audio output does not have any weird effect. E.g. (hall, concert, etc.). I personally feel like when echo and reverberation sound characteristics are applied (a sound profile), they can sometimes cause issues with the software recognizing and canceling out its own sound.

Third, make sure they are not running either multiple copies of skype, or have it joined using more than one method. I have seen where people join via the web browser, and then also have the client join, as an example. This may cause severe echo, and is a problem with some of the “links” to meetings opening up in a browser, and then subsequently launching the same meeting in the client.

Anyway, hopefully something here will help.

All the best!