Health And Headsets: What To Look For To Keep You Working Comfortably

If you spend a large portion of your day making phone calls, you should look into getting a telephone headset to prevent neck and back injuries and boost your productivity. However, not all headsets are equally helpful in maintaining your health. These are the features that you should consider when searching for the best headset for your personal health. 

Lightweight

If you will be using your headset for a prolonged period each day, it is important that you choose a lightweight model. While most headsets may feel comfortable at first, heavier headsets will eventually cause fatigue in your neck and shoulders. For this reason, you should shop for smaller, lightweight models first, and if you are trying to decide between two models with similar features, always opt for the lighter model. 

Ergonomic Design 

There are many choices when it comes to headsets. You can purchase one with a band that rests on your head or behind your neck. You can select in-ear or on-ear models. For on-ear models, you have to choose big or small headphones. Each of these types of headsets have benefits and drawbacks. However, what is most important is that you find a model that works with your personal head shape and needs. The headset should not slip throughout the day. Also, you should not feel like you need to wear it tightly against your ears to hear well or to keep it in place. Finally, it should not cause any earrings you wear to dig into your ears or neck. 

Sound-Canceling 

There are two aspects to sound-canceling headsets. First, there are sound-canceling earphones, which make it easier for you to hear your calls and concentrate on what is being said by the person on the other end of the line. This aspect is important because it allows you to keep the headset at a lower volume throughout the day, protecting your ears from damage.

The second aspect of noise-cancellation is a noise-canceling microphone. These microphones automatically filter out background noise and pick up your voice. This allows you to speak at a low, comfortable volume during calls, which is an important part of protecting your vocal cords from repetitive stress injuries. 

Proper Microphone Placement

The microphone from your headset should rest near your mouth or along your jawbone. Some headsets, especially those intended for use with mobile phones, include a hanging microphone that rests on your collarbone or lower. These microphones force you to speak more loudly, straining your voice. You may also find yourself leaning down towards the microphone, causing neck strain similar to a handset. Finally, you may find that you have to hold the microphone in place with your hand, causing fatigue in your arm. 

Wireless

Quality wireless headsets tend to be more expensive than wired headsets. However, they are a good option for several reasons. First of all, getting rid of the wire shaves off a little more weight, making the headset more comfortable for long calls. More importantly, wireless models increase your mobility, allowing you to walk around your office while you are on a call. Experts recommend standing for at least 5-20 minutes every hour that you work. A wireless headset can allow you to stand up from your desk and complete some small stretches while you are on a call, if you tend to have longer calls. 

If you are concerned about the quality of a wireless headset, you can also look into wired/wireless options that plug in to your computer or phone when you need them to but can also be unplugged on occasion. 

While your budget or technical needs may prevent you from getting all of these features in a telephone headset, they should definitely be a part of your decision-making process. 

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