Reliability and repeatability are fundamental concepts in ultrasonic nondestructive testing. An inspection technique must be able to accurately detect, characterize, position and size any defect indication. In manual ultrasonic inspection, however, the operator can be a frequent source of error. Mistakes often arise due to the volume of information the operator must memorize and process. Existing solutions require mechanical probe manipulators that restrict the operator's movements and often require changes to trusted methods and procedures. The aim of this research programme was to investigate the potential of a computer system that assists the operator in the analysis of echodynamic patterns. The system allows the operator to record A-scan sequences, store them to disk, and recall them for review. The system's flexible user interface gives the operator freedom to retain existing inspection practices, in addition to the benefits of computer recording. A novel feature of the system was a speech recognition system to provide hands-free control, which minimizes disruption to the flow of the inspection. Trials were conducted to assess the recognizer's reliability under various conditions. The trials showed that focusing upon echodynamic pattern analysis is a valid and useful approach. Only a limited trial was conducted, however, so the research program was not able to conclusively show that the system will reduce operator errors or improve inspection reliability. In user testing sessions, operators agreed that such a system would be helpful during a manual inspection and there were few objections to the imposition of new hardware. Users quickly became used to the speech recognizer, and the speed of interaction and 'flow' of inspection were greatly enhanced. The author suggests that a computerized assistant is worthy of further development, and has the potential to be a valuable tool in manual ultrasonic inspection.