Speech recognition software is used in a wide range of applications, from automated commercial phone systems to enhancing personal productivity. This technology appeals to anyone who needs or wants a hands–free approach to computing tasks.

There are two main types of speaker models: speaker independent and speaker dependent. Speaker independent models recognize the speech patterns of a large group of people.

Speaker dependent models recognize speech patterns from only one person. Both models use mathematical and statistical formulas to yield the best work match for speech. A third variation of speaker models is now emerging, called speaker adaptive. Speaker adaptive systems usually begin with a speaker independent model and adjust these models more closely to each individual during a brief training period.