June listens through whatever microphone the room computer uses. A basic one works; a good one noticeably improves accuracy in a busy operatory — suction, scalers, the sterilizer, and the room next door. Here's what to buy, from a safe budget pick to the one we recommend.
Three options
BUDGET / BRING-YOUR-OWN
Cardioid USB desktop mic
$35–50
View on Amazon →A directional plug-and-play mic like a TONOR TC-777 or FIFINE cardioid. Beats any built-in laptop mic, no drivers to install.
Best for: a provider narrating the note themselves. Tuned for one close talker, so it's weaker at capturing the patient across the room.
BETTER — THE SWEET SPOT
Jabra Speak2 40
~$169
View on Amazon →Four beamforming, noise-cancelling mics and Voice Level Normalization that evens out provider and patient volume. IP64-rated so it wipes down; hardwired USB for low-latency perio dictation.
Best for: most operatories. Captures the whole visit conversation while rejecting suction, scalers, and the next room.
BEST
Jabra Speak2 55
~$189
View on Amazon →Everything the 40 has, plus Bluetooth alongside USB-C for flexible placement. Same beamforming array, noise cancellation, and wipeable IP64 build.
Best for: rooms that want wireless flexibility. For pure dictation, the wired 40 is the smarter buy.
If an office buys its own
Any USB microphone works with June. To make sure a self-sourced pick is a good one, here's what separates a mic that helps from one that hurts.
Look for
- USB, wired — not Bluetooth-only
- Directional or beamforming pickup (cardioid), not omnidirectional
- Plug-and-play — no driver install
- A wipeable surface for infection control
- A visible mute button and status light
Avoid
- Omnidirectional room mics — they hear the whole building, including next door
- Bluetooth earbuds — pairing hassle and latency during perio
- Gaming mics with heavy built-in effects
- Anything needing a driver download to work
Placement & care
Placement matters as much as the mic. Sit it on the counter within about 2–3 feet of the chair, pointed at it, with the noisiest equipment behind or beside the mic rather than in front of it — a directional mic rejects what's off to its sides. Assign one mic per operatory and wipe it down between patients, same as any chairside surface.
Turning it on in June
- Plug the microphone into the operatory computer.
- Open June → Settings → Microphone and choose it from the list. This is saved on that computer.
- Hit Start test and speak — the level bar should move well into the green.
- Using a Jabra (or another mic with its own noise cancellation)? Turn on "Professional noise-cancelling microphone." That hands the mic the raw signal so its processing isn't fighting the browser's. Leave it off for a basic mic.