How to Choose The Right Telephone Headset
By Wayne Baumgartner
As little as 10 years ago the choices of telephone headsets for your home or office were few and vendors were limited. Now with the advent of new technology and the internet, the choices are great and suppliers are plentiful. Choosing the best headset for your application and finding a company that knows and understands the product with the ability to support your needs before and after the sale has become essential. Choosing the appropriate headset can be accomplished by considering the grade, model, and style of the headset and by selecting an experienced and reputable supplier.
The potential headset buyer first needs to recognize the difference between two distinct grades of headsets. Local office supply stores stock and sell telephone headsets priced from $50-100. These are consumer grade headsets which are considered entry level headsets. These headsets supply hands free communication and provide an excellent solution for 15-20 minute calls while talking to friends and family. The units usually include a single ear headband or an ear model headset with an amplifier. The amplifier is required to make the headset compatible with most telephones. Speaker/microphone volume controls are limited and the headset plugs into a telephone's handset port. There is typically no compatibility settings on the amplifier, therefore the system may or may not function properly depending on the telephone it is connected to. The quality is typically equal to or below that of your telephone handset.
For the professional, commercial grade headsets offer many upgrades with additional choices in a price range from $150-225, including an amplifier. The quality is much improved over a telephone handset and the durability will provide for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week use and abuse for years to come. There are generally 5-10 amplifiers to choose from, which increases compatibility and ease of use with individual phone systems. In addition, a quick disconnect connection built into the cord allows the user to disconnect and walk away from the telephone without removing the headset.
When choosing a particular model of headset, the first thing to consider is the environment in which it will be used. Most commercial grade headsets are available in two models. Voice tube models are well used in standard to quiet environments such as private offices or areas with less than 10 employees. Noise-canceling models work well in medium to loud environments with 10 or more employees in a common area. The noise-canceling microphone dampens background noise, allowing the user's voice to be clearer to the other party while blocking out background noise. Noise-canceling models typically cost $10-20 more, but in loud environments, they are a worthwhile investment.
The next consideration in choosing a headset is the wearing style. Telephone headsets come in two styles: over-the-head or over-the-ear. The traditional and most popular headsets are monaural and consist of a headband over-the-head with a speaker on one ear. Headband models provide a snug fit, with an ear cushion resting gently against the ear. They provide excellent sound transmission and quality along with a comfortable fit.
For those who want a lower profile headset that doesn't interfere with various hair styles, an over-the-ear model is a good choice. Lightweight and hardly noticeable, an ear model rests gently on and against your ear. An ear model, however, can be awkward to fit with eyeglasses and can feel less stable.
For use in an extremely loud environment or for those desiring uninterrupted focus when on a call, binaural headsets are the optimal choice. These headsets are styled as headband over-the-head with speakers covering both ears to block out background noise and other distractions.
Relatively new in the industry are convertible headsets. First time headset users may want to consider these because they provide multiple wearing styles which allow the user to find the most comfortable fit. They typically include a headband for over-the-head use, as well as an ear piece for over-the-ear usage.
The last decision involved in the purchase of a headset is choosing a vendor. If a reputable and experienced vendor is found, the product knowledge, after sale support and full manufacturer warranty they provide will be invaluable. Finding a reputable vendor to supply headsets is easy when you know what to look for. First, only consider vendors that are authorized headset suppliers. Speak with their agents and take note of their ability, or lack thereof, to direct their attention to your specific needs. In addition, ask questions about the warranties supplied, return policies, length of time in business, and their relationship with the manufacturer. Beware, many on-line and auction based companies sell headsets "as-is" with no warranties or returns and many times ship incorrect items or products with missing parts. Simply put, most of those deals are too good to be true for a reason.
Doing some limited research and choosing the right headset vendor will result in a pleasant experience that will provide numerous benefits to the user. In addition to comfort and convenience, studies have shown that efficiency can increase as much as 43% with the use of a headset and that neck and shoulder pain can be reduced up to 41%.
About the Author
Wayne Baumgartner is the President of Headsets Direct, Inc., an authorized Plantronics headset distributor. Mr. Baumgartner has been providing headset solutions to users worldwide for more than 17 years. Further information on telephone headsets may be obtained at http://www.headsetsdirect.com or by calling Headsets Direct at 1-800-914-7996.
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