Buying Guide: How to Choose a Headset
Ergonomics are frequently discussed in relation to workplace environments, as is productivity. Employers spend a significant amount of time and resources trying to revamp processes to make their employees more productive. For workers who spend a majority of their day on phone calls, a headset will address both issues. Working with your neck constantly tilted to the side, either on a shoulder rest or just cradling the phone between your neck and shoulder, is not good for you. And trying to take an order or type a message while on the phone without a headset results in a definite loss of speed and productivity.
I wear a headset - I just can’t function as efficiently without one and my neck is killing me at the end of the day if I don’t use it. Years ago, I had a corded headset, but now I have a wireless one and the freedom it provides is fantastic. For instance, I can run to the copy machine to pick up printouts while still speaking to my caller. If the phone rings when I have stepped away from my desk, I can answer it while I’m walking back to my desk. There’s no constant kinking, so my neck stays in an ergonomically friendly position all day and there’s no stress or strain.
My personal opinion is that anyone who works on a phone all day should have a headset and today I’ll take you through some of the basics so you can choose the appropriate kind for your office staff.
Question #1: What are you connecting to?
This is the first determining factor - and the most important one. Are you connecting the headset to a desk phone, a PC or a mobile phone? Connections vary, so consult your owner’s manual or ask your IT department to find out what kind of headset you can use. Once you know, you can narrow the choices.
Question #2: How much mobility do you want?
Do you want to be able to walk away from your desk like I do? Then a wireless headset is for you if your phone is compatible with it. If not, you’ll be stuck with a corded headset.)
Question #3: Which features do you want/need?
DECT headsets provide low interference, high quality audio and up to 350 feet of wireless freedom.
Bluetooth provides up to 33 feet of roaming.
Voice Conferencing allows you to connect another headset into your conversation with just a click of a button on your wireless headset.
Do you want a handset lifter? Many headsets need this to work, but some of the newer wireless ones can answer the phone without having to physically lift the handset.
Question #4: What style do you prefer?
There are generally 4 style options for headset:
Over the head
2. Over the ear
3. Behind the head
4. Convertible.
Convertible does all 3 - some come with all the attachments and you pick the one you want to use. Others give you one or two attachments and you have to buy the others. Personally, I prefer behind the head, but over the ear works too - I just can’t stand over the head.
If you want to be able to hear your surroundings, choose a headset with a single earpiece (monaural). If you prefer to block out the background noise, choose a headset with two earpieces (binaural).
There’s your checklist. As I mentioned at the beginning, you need to find out what kind of headsets your device can accommodate. After you have that information, the rest is really personal preference and budget.
Questions? Give us a call at 877-795-2600. We’re here to help!
