speach feedback window switches to continous listening w/no keyword

[talin]

12" powerbook G4, os x 10.4.5, wireless mouse sometimes connected. have run permesions and disc repair and talked to apple support(computer purchased in december 2005). i have deleted all the com.apple.speech files from the preferences folder(several times).

so here's what's happening: i'll be fiddling around and suddenly my window will close or the application will close - or one will open - or i'll hear the confirmation beep. when i look at the dock the speach feedback window will be continously listening. if i hit the esc button it will go back to "listen only while key is pressed" mode. but only for a while then it starts back up with the continous listening.

any ideas?

thank you in advance!