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Docs / AssisT / Text-to-Speech Deep Dive

Text-to-Speech Deep Dive

Voice selection, speed settings, word highlighting, and advanced TTS configuration.

Overview

Text-to-Speech (TTS) converts written text to spoken audio with synchronized word highlighting. This deep dive covers all available settings and use cases.

Who benefits most: Students with dyslexia, visual processing difficulties, attention challenges, or anyone who learns better by listening.

All Settings Explained

Voice Selection

Choose from voices available on your system:

SettingOptionsDefault
VoiceSystem voices (varies by OS)System default

Finding voices:

  • Windows: Settings → Time & Language → Speech
  • Mac: System Preferences → Accessibility → Spoken Content
  • Chromebook: Settings → Accessibility → Text-to-Speech

Tips:

  • Some voices sound more natural than others
  • Try several voices to find one you like
  • Download additional voices from your OS settings

Speed Controls

SettingRangeDefaultDescription
Rate0.5x - 2.0x1.0xHow fast text is read
Pitch0.5 - 2.01.0Voice pitch (higher/lower)
Volume0 - 100%100%TTS audio volume

Speed recommendations:

User NeedRecommended Speed
Learning new content0.8x - 1.0x
Familiar content review1.2x - 1.5x
Proofreading own work0.7x - 0.9x
Language learners0.6x - 0.8x

Word Highlighting

SettingOptionsDefault
Highlight enabledOn/OffOn
Highlight colorColor pickerYellow (#FFEB3B)
Highlight opacity10% - 100%70%
Word-by-wordOn/OffOff
Sentence highlightingOn/OffOff

Highlighting modes:

ModeHow It WorksBest For
Word-by-wordHighlights each word as spokenFollowing along closely
SentenceHighlights whole sentenceFaster readers
BothWord highlighted within sentenceMaximum tracking

Reading Behavior

SettingOptionsDefault
Read from cursorOn/OffOn
Auto-scrollOn/OffOn
Skip headingsOn/OffOff
Skip linksOn/OffOff
Announce punctuationOn/OffOff

Read from cursor: When enabled, TTS starts reading from wherever you click on the page rather than the beginning.

Auto-scroll: Page scrolls automatically to keep the highlighted text visible.

Step-by-Step Setup

Basic Setup

  1. Click AssisT icon in toolbar
  2. Expand Reading Help section
  3. Toggle Text-to-Speech ON
  4. Test with Ctrl+Shift+Space on any page

Optimized Setup for Different Needs

For dyslexia:

  1. Enable word-by-word highlighting
  2. Set speed to 0.8x - 1.0x
  3. Choose high-contrast highlight color (yellow or green)
  4. Enable sentence highlighting as well

For ADHD:

  1. Enable auto-scroll
  2. Set speed to 1.0x - 1.2x
  3. Enable read-from-cursor
  4. Choose a bright highlight color

For language learning:

  1. Set speed to 0.6x - 0.8x
  2. Enable word highlighting
  3. Choose a clear, natural voice
  4. Enable announce punctuation

Common Use Cases

Proofreading Your Own Writing

Settings:

  • Speed: 0.7x - 0.9x (slower catches errors)
  • Highlighting: Word-by-word
  • Read from cursor: On

How it helps: Hearing your writing read aloud reveals awkward phrasing, missing words, and repetition that your eyes skip over.

Studying Long Documents

Settings:

  • Speed: 1.0x (adjust to comfort)
  • Auto-scroll: On
  • Sentence highlighting: On

How it helps: Reduces eye fatigue, allows multitasking (follow along or listen only), and provides dual-channel learning (visual + auditory).

Reading Before Sleep

Settings:

  • Speed: 0.8x
  • Volume: 50-70%
  • Highlighting: Off (screen off)

How it helps: Listen without screen light. Combine with Dark Mode or turn screen off entirely.

Following Along with Physical Text

Settings:

  • Speed: 0.9x - 1.0x
  • Highlighting: Off
  • Read from cursor: On

How it helps: Use TTS as audio guide while reading printed textbook. Pause and resume as needed.

Troubleshooting

No Sound Playing

Solutions:

  1. Check system volume isn’t muted
  2. Verify TTS is enabled in AssisT popup
  3. Try a different voice in settings
  4. Check Chrome sound permissions for the website
  5. Restart Chrome

Voice Sounds Robotic

Solutions:

  1. Download better voices from OS settings
  2. Try different available voices
  3. Adjust pitch setting slightly (0.9 or 1.1)
  4. On Windows: Install neural voices from Settings

Highlighting Not Working

Solutions:

  1. Verify “Highlight enabled” is on in settings
  2. Check if page uses unusual text rendering
  3. Try refreshing the page
  4. Some PDFs may not support highlighting

TTS Stops Unexpectedly

Solutions:

  1. Page may have lost focus — click back on page
  2. Content may have ended — select new content
  3. Try pressing Ctrl+Shift+Space to resume
  4. Refresh page if problem persists

Wrong Language Being Used

Solutions:

  1. Text may be in different language than expected
  2. Manually select voice that matches content language
  3. Some voices only support specific languages

Keyboard Shortcuts

ShortcutAction
Ctrl+Shift+SpacePlay/Pause TTS
Ctrl+Shift+SStop TTS

For Educators & Parents

Setting Up TTS for Students

  1. Test voice options together — Student preference matters
  2. Start with defaults — Adjust only if needed
  3. Set appropriate speed — Slower for new content, faster for review
  4. Enable highlighting — Visual tracking helps most learners

Monitoring Usage

TTS doesn’t track or report usage. To check if students are using it effectively:

  • Ask students to demonstrate their settings
  • Observe during study sessions
  • Check if comprehension improves with TTS use

Classroom Implementation

  • TTS works on most educational websites
  • Compatible with Canvas, Moodle, Google Classroom
  • Works offline once page is loaded
  • No additional logins or accounts needed