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USE
YOUR HEAD. USE A HEADSET
If you talk while you write or type or use tools or read or walk or drive or care for a child, you should have a headset.
A headset should be selected for the person who will use it, the phone it will be used with, and the environment it will be used in.
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There are two main
styles of headsets:
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over-the-head
&
over-the-ear
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Over-the-head headsets are usually more secure than over-the-ear models, but weigh more.
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Over-the-ear models won't mess
up your
hair, and look less geeky.
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We also have headsets that can be easily converted for over-the-head or over-the-ear use, and
"earsets," that work like headsets but fit inside your ear, like a hearing aid.
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Most headsets are comfortable for eyeglass-wearers.
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...and there are
four ways of using a headset with a phone. |
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| Corded
"office" phones generally use an adapter, often called an
amplifier or
switchbox, that plugs into the phone's handset jack.
It allows selection of headset or handset, and
other functions such as volume control, microphone
muting, and adjustments to match the headset
to the phone. |
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A large number of companies --
including NEC, Nortel, Comdial, Mitel and Siemens -- make
office phones that can accept headsets without adapters,
and we have headsets for these phones. These phones have
dedicated
modular jacks
for
"direct
connect" headsets. The handset doesn't get
unplugged. |
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Many cordless and cellphones and
an increasing number of corded phones, from such
companies as Panasonic and TMC, have
2.5mm jacks for
headsets, and don't need a switchbox. Some older
cellphones need a small adapter to use a headset. Some
brands use special headsets. |
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Newest headsets are wireless,
using Bluetooth or other technologies for 30 to 300 foot
range from phone to
headset. They use a transmitter/receiver
that connects to the phone's handset jack. A remote handset lifter
will pick up and hang
up by just tapping a button on the headset. |
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 If you work in a noisy environment, consider headsets with
noise-canceling microphones and/or binaural receivers (for both ears). A binaural headset will minimize the ambient noise that you hear. A noise-canceling microphone will minimize the ambient noise that the other person hears coming from your phone.
Headsets with longer microphone booms will make your voice sound stronger, with less echo and less background noise, than headsets with short booms.
If you don't see what you need on this site, please call us at 1.888.225.3999, or send email. |
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Headsets with sound tubes (left) put less bulk in front of your face
than headsets with microphones on booms (right), but should not be used in
noisy environments. |
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Headsets with short microphone booms can be stored in pocket or pocketbook, and are good for a quiet environment. |
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Headsets with long mic booms make your voice seem louder, with less echo and background noise. |
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GN
adapter
goes next to
a phone |
If you want to use a headset with an "office" phone, you
may need an
adapter
("amplifier" or "switchbox") that allows easy switching between headset and handset, plus muting, volume control, and custom adjustments for your particular phone. The adapter plugs into the handset jack on your phone, and both the handset and headset then plug into the adapter. Some adapters go next to the phone, and others go underneath. |
Plantronics
A-20 under-phone
headset adapter |
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 With some
office phones, you'll need an
adapter; but you can leave the handset on the phone base while you use the headset.
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 With some phones, you'll need an adapter AND you'll have to raise the handset.
This depends on the design of the phone, not the headset or the adapter. Constantly picking up and hanging up can be really annoying, so CLICK
for our handset LifterUpper.
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 Plantronics
MX-10 adapter allows one headset to be used with
a phone and a PC.
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 You can get a tiny clip-on cordless phone with a headset. This is
a Plantronics
CT-10.
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We have a large selection of headsets equipped with 2.5mm plugs, to fit the headset jacks on many cordless phones and cell phones. Some
older cordlesses and cellphones require a headset adapter.> |
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 We also have headsets with dual 3.5mm plugs, and with USB connectors, for use with computers. Some are wireless.
CLICK |
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 Despite their male name,
"jacks" are considered to be female connectors, and plugs are male. If you don't understand this, get naked
with someone of the opposite sex, and stand in front of the mirror. CLICK
for more telecom terminology. |
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