The two most important features of any headset are its ability to reduce, or totally eliminate, background noise and its ability to allow hands-free telephone operation . It is these two qualities that, more than any other, allow the user to function more efficiently, whether at home or at work.

A headset, in broad terms, is typically made up of a tube for talking into and one or two earphones for listening. Once, they were really only seen and used in such industries as broadcasting and airline operations . However, their use soon became popular amongst music lovers because of the level of private listening they can accommodate and the stereo quality sound they can convey . The increased use of laptops, computers, iPods, iPhones and games consoles has resulted in their use becoming more widespread and commonplace in more recent times.

For Business Use - Choosing A Headset

The use of headsets has now become necessary in modern work environments because of the array of communication channels that are now widely used . There are a number of factors that business owners or managers should take into account when undertaking a headset review to ensure all the workplace requirements are accounted for .

First amongst the considerations are to decide whether corded or cordless types are required and whether to choose single or dual earpiece designs . The choice of monaural or binaural styles will usually depend on your type of business . Because, for instance, they offer higher noise reduction levels, a binaural style may be more suitable for a call centre environment. Monaural styles, on the other hand, enable employees to interact with each other and their surroundings while dealing with telephone calls.

Nowadays, practically every staff member works at a computer. Whether they are corded or cordless, headsets are obviously necessary because they enable staff to work hands-free at their keyboards while they are taking calls. And, for those who need to roam around the office or travel outside it, the wireless variety are probably the best option . However, again in operations such as call centres, which may require a high rotation of staff, wired headsets that are stationary or attached to a particular workstation may prove more advantageous .

Choices In Headsets For Home Use

With the vast range of interactive computer applications and games that are available, a headset has also almost become a must-have for home use . Because they are likely to use a wide array of gadgets, this applies especially in homes where there are young adults or children. Furthermore, it is important that other occupants in a household are not forced to listen to an array of noise from various sources while each individual needs a degree of privacy to use their own choice of applications .

In general, binaural headsets are considered the the best option for recreation purposes because of their capability to block out practically all background noise . They are also thought to offer users higher, stereo-quality sound, which is important for conveying optimum music sound quality and for competitive gaming activities .

Whatever your headset requirement, there is undoubtedly a great range of models to choose from so the buyer can be sure of finding a stylish and effective solution .