Plantronics Headsets

Plantronics, Inc. introduced the first lightweight communications headset in 1962 and is today the world's leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of lightweight communications headset products.

Plantronics offers mobile headsets to address the cordless and mobile phone market, next-generation computer audio headset products for computer applications and corded and cordless headsets and systems for the office, small office/home office and contact centres.

Ergonomics & Design of Headsets

Headsets, an inexpensive and simple solution allowing you to talk whilst keeping both hands free, providing the necessary mobility for writing, typing or even drinking a cup of coffee.

There are two main categories of headsets:

1. Over-the-Head
   These headsets are worn like a standard pair of headphones. This type of headset has either one (monaural) or two earpieces (binaural) with a microphone attachment.
   
2. Over-the-Ear
   Over-the-ear headsets are like clip-on headphones. This type of headset comes with only one earpiece with a microphone on the same side. There is no band that runs across the top of the head because of the built-on clip on the earpiece.
   

Headset features:

• Convertible from "over the ear" to "over the head" for maximum versatility
• Noise canceling microphone for optimum clarity, even in noisy environments
• Microphone volume adjustability
• Volume and mute controls
• Compatible with telecoil equipped hearing aids
• Standard 2.5mm jack, making them compatible with most of today's cell phones

Headset microphones are designed to pick up the voice of the user and are available in two basic designs:

1. Boom Microphones
   Boom Microphones consist of an arm with a microphone attached to the end. Most booms can be moved up and down and swung in and out so the microphone can be placed the correct distance from the mouth.
2. Voice Tubes
   Voice Tubes work on a different principle. Rather than placing the microphone near the mouth, these models use a thin plastic tube to channel sound up to a microphone that's positioned near the side of the face. Voice tubes can generally be turned in any direction for better positioning, and some can be telescoped to move the tube closer to the user's mouth. The advantage of a voice tube is that it's small and nearly transparent, which allows it to rest almost unnoticed in front of the user's face. On the downside, voice tubes tend to clog, generally requiring replacement about once a year.

Amplifiers

A headset needs an amplifier in order to work. The amplifier channels sound to and from the headset. In addition, the amplifier is often equiped with controls that allow the quality and level of sound to be adjusted. When a telephone headset is installed, the amplifier is typically connected directly to the telephone. Universal amplifiers plug into the connector normally used by the phone handset. Determining which type of amplifier is needed depends on the type of phone you have. If the telephone uses a standard modular jack to connect the handset, a universal connector usually can be used. Most PABX manufacturers have the amplifier build into the handset, cutting out the cost for seperate amplifiers.

Sound Quality

In noisy offices, a noise canceling feature can be helpful in blocking or reducing background noise. Most headphones with boom microphones we supply are already equipped with noise canceling. Models that use voice tubes generally don't offer noise canceling.

Features

Telephone headsets are fairly simple devices, but many include a few features that make them easier to use. A handset/headset switchover button allows the user to quickly choose whether to use the handset or the headset when handling a call. This button should be designed so that it's easy to determine which mode is currently active; when the phone is ringing, you don't want to have to guess which piece of equipment to pick up.

Workers who often need to move away from the phone should look for a quick-disconnect feature. As it's name suggests, the quick-disconnect feature allows users to disconnect the headset from the amplifier/telephone without removing it. Although quick disconnect is a common feature, check that the model you buy works as promised; a few models require a wrestling match to disconnect the halves.

Design

Another concern with any headset is it's design. Headsets are available in a variety of styles, ranging from in-the-ear units to large, cushioned, broadcaster-like units. Choosing a unit depends on personal preference and how it'll be used.

If the headset will be used in a noisy environment, such as a call centres, a binaural headset is usually the better choice. Binaural headsets provide optimum acoustics and are better at blocking out distractions.

Monaural headsets are often preferable if you don't spend the majority of your time on the phone. These units permit users to hold conversations with coworkers without removing their headsets.

Although vanity may not seem like an important issue, many people don't like having their hair disturbed by an over-the-head headset. Over-the-ear designs are often preferred in these cases.

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