Type 2 Diabetes: Preventing Complications

Accu-Chek Voicemate

The Accu-Chek Voicemate is composed of the Accu-Chek Advantage blood glucose meter, which is plugged into the Voicemate's speech output module. The one-piece unit is the largest of the systems we examined (6.5 in. × 3.0 in. × 2.5 in.)— small enough to carry around, but too large to fit into a pocket or pocketbook. The Advantage is powered by two lithium batteries. Its screen is slightly smaller than the SureStep, and the font size (½ in. high) is also slightly smaller and not as thick and bold. Voicemate documentation is available on tape and in large print.

Consumer Reports evaluated the Advantage but not the Voicemate's speech module. Overall, the Advantage was rated second best from among 11 blood glucose monitors that it evaluated and was given a "very good" rating on both accuracy and consistency. Consumer Reports defined consistency as "the ability to give similar readings on successive tests of the same blood sample" and accuracy as "how closely the readings agreed with the standard lab results."

However, we noticed that the Advantage that came with the Voicemate looked different from the one purchased separately that was pictured in the Consumer Reports evaluation. We purchased one and found that its screen font was bolder and easier to read and that it is incompatible with the Voicemate's speech module. We contacted Roche Diagnostics and received verification that the separately purchased Advantage differs in packaging details, screen font, and layout, and is incompatible with the Voicemate. We were told that, with the exception of those differences, the technology used in the separately purchased Advantage is identical to the one that comes with the Voicemate.

There is a slot in the Voicemate for a code key for calibrating the meter for test strips. It uses touchable test strips that have a notch cutout to identify tactilely where to apply the blood. In addition, you can apply more blood after the test starts. The Voicemate requires four microliters of blood—less than half the amount used by the SureStep, but considerably more than many meters that do not offer speech output.

The response time can be quite slow, as long as 40 seconds. The Voicemate does not require cleaning, and, as an added extra, it has a built-in insulin vial reader that reads Eli Lilly insulin vials. It has an earphone jack. Memory download requires the purchase of special Accu-Chek software and a cable. We found the software unusable with a screen reader.

The Voicemate enunciates the meter's blood glucose reading only once. It has a repeat button, a feature that is preferable to the annoyance of continuous enunciation, and a thumb wheel control for on/off and setting the volume. The Voicemate can be operated by an external power supply or a nine-volt battery and is not rechargeable. The speech quality is good.

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