Why Video Communication is Better Than Audio-Only

Interactive Digital Solutions (IDS) is a video communication integration service provider. We help clients in healthcare, enterprise, and government spaces to remove technology barriers and simplify communication workflows with best-in-class video communication services. We excel at video communication design, implementation, and ongoing support. We bring together the best video communication hardware and software in the marketplace to create custom solutions to fit each client’s needs.

So why do we focus on video?

Video affords more communication cues than audio alone. Video calls mimic co-presence in a way that audio-only calls cannot. The addition of nonverbal cues makes video calls more efficient and more personable. For teams collaborating remotely, video communication is the quickest way to get everyone on the same page and working effectively.

What are Nonverbal Cues

Nonverbal cues include facial expressions, gestures, tone of voice, volume, body language, eye-gaze, and more. It is possible to discern auditory cues like tone of voice and volume over the phone, but for facial expressions, gestures, and body language, video is needed. Nonverbal cues often present valuable context within communication, but they really become important when verbal and nonverbal communication in incongruent.

Why Nonverbal Cues Are Important in Video Communication

When verbal and nonverbal communication is incongruent, it means that the verbal message is not consistent with the nonverbal message. When incongruencies happen, studies have shown that nonverbal cues carry more weight than verbal communication.  

For example, let’s say you run into a friend at a coffee shop. You ask them how they are doing, and they respond with “I’m fine!”. Their tone is chipper, they are smiling, and overall, they are giving the impression of genuine happiness. In this case, verbal and nonverbal communication is congruent and so you take your friend at their word. For our second example, let’s say that your friend recently lost a loved one. When you arrive at the funeral you ask them how they are doing and even though they respond with “I’m doing fine,” there are tears running down their face. In this situation, the nonverbal cue of the tears would out-weigh their verbal assurances and you would correctly assume that they are not fine. If either one of these interactions had happened over the phone, you would have only had your friend’s words to go on and you would have come away from each interaction assuming that your friend was fine. With video, you would have had the added benefit of nonverbal cues.

By focusing on the installation and support of video communication, IDS is supporting the entirety of the communication spectrum. Video is more efficient, more effective, and saves people from drawing incorrect conclusions based on limited information.

If you are ready to install a world-class video communication system in your facility, visit the Contact Us page now.