Sunderland Echo

Connecting with colleagues with correct headset

-

When you’re working from home, having the right headset can make a big difference to your call quality.

A headset is a pair of headphones and a microphone, combined into a single, wearable device.

When connected to a smartphone or computer, headsets can help you to hear and be heard clearly on phone calls and video calls.

The biggest motivation to use a headset is that they can improve your audio quality.

This is thanks partly to the quality of their components, as many headsets boast better-sounding speakers and more sensitive microphone­s than your average smartphone or computer.

The other key factor is that a headset’s headphones and microphone are usually very close to your ears and mouth, which allows for clear communicat­ion both ways.

So, what should people look for in a headset?

One of the key difference­s between headsets is how the mic is incorporat­ed into the design.

Some models have a narrow arm known as a ‘microphone boom’, which holds the microphone close to your mouth. This is the classic type of headset you might associate with a pilot or a call centre operative.

Other models have microphone­s built discreetly into the earcups or earbuds.

Headsets with an in-built mic are less obtrusive, but this may come at a slight cost in terms of the microphone’s effectiven­ess.

Some headsets have a wired connection via a 3.5mm headphone jack; some connect wirelessly via Bluetooth; and others have both wired and wireless connectivi­ty.

The best type of connection to choose depends on how you plan to use the headset.

Wireless headsets reduce clutter and allow you to move more freely, while wired headsets provide a simple connection that doesn’t require you to charge the headphones.

For frequent users, a headset with both types of connection could be the best bet.

 ??  ?? Making an informed choice about which headset to use is worth the effort (photo: Shuttersto­ck)
Making an informed choice about which headset to use is worth the effort (photo: Shuttersto­ck)

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom