1. A communication apparatus comprising: a microphone to receive sound when a user speaks and to convert the received sound into a voice signal; a voice activity detection processor to detect spoken words and informative sounds within the voice signal; a voice-to-text processor programmed to convert the spoken words and the informative sounds of the voice signal into a text message, wherein the text message includes text identifying the user as originator of the voice signal; a transmitter configured to transmit the voice signal, the text message, or both the voice signal and text message to other users; a receiver configured to receive one or more voice signals, text messages, or voice signals and text messages from one or more users via a communication network; a protective facemask; and a display device to display, adjacent or integral to the protective facemask, the one or more text messages from the one or more users.
1. A communication apparatus comprising: a microphone to receive sound when a user speaks and to convert the received sound into a voice signal; a voice activity detection processor to detect spoken words and informative sounds within the voice signal; a voice-to-text processor programmed to convert the spoken words and the informative sounds of the voice signal into a text message, wherein the text message includes text identifying the user as originator of the voice signal; a transmitter configured to transmit the voice signal, the text message, or both the voice signal and text message to other users; a receiver configured to receive one or more voice signals, text messages, or voice signals and text messages from one or more users via a communication network; a protective facemask; and a display device to display, adjacent or integral to the protective facemask, the one or more text messages from the one or more users. 6. The communication apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the voice-to-text processor comprises a dictation apparatus to convert the spoken words and informative sounds into the text message.