Being new to the headset industry here at Headsets Direct, I have the opportunity to try different types of headsets. What feels better, works better, and let’s face it looks better.  I have the privilege to see, try, and experiment with the different types of headsets offered from Plantronics.  Let’s face it, I love being mobile and able to walk away from my desk. I can receive faxes while talking on the phone and walk to the copy machine.  I can stand, stretch, & walk the room wearing a wireless headset.

When I came to work at HDI, my co-workers directed me to the compatibility guide on the Bluetooth headsets. Now I can actually drive and use both hands on the steering wheel like we should do, using a Bluetooth headset.  Yes I picked one for my cell phone!  I picked a simple Bluetooth for me, an Explorer 240.  It is inexpensive and easy to pair up with my LG cell.

When you need something you are unfamiliar with, I would recommend that you look at your options carefully, and then jump in with both feet.  I decided for the office, that I wanted something wireless with a noise cancelling microphone.  I chose the Plantronics Savi WO200. This will work with my computer and telephone here at work.  My co-workers helped make a believer out of me!  I am now ready to be the newbie on the block with my own headsets.

Welcome to the 21^st century.  Rotary push button phones with a cord, what a tangled mess. NO MORE!  No more cradling the handset between your shoulder and ear.  No more neck aches. I can slip it on my head like a headband or, slip it over the ear.  Wireless telephone headsets wow!  How nice to be free!

“VoIP” stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, which just simply means that you are communicating or talking over the internet.  When searching for wireless VoIP headsets, it’s not so much the “VoIP” that makes the difference as it is the VoIP device that is being used.  VoIP does not just refer to one type of device, meaning for example that VoIP could be referring to soft phone software used on a computer and laptop or it could be just referring to a regular type IP “hard phone”.  A regular type IP hard phone will look just like a standard traditional telephone, but it communicates over the internet instead of a traditional phone line.  So when looking for a wireless VoIP headsets, it really does depend on which type of device that you are actually using, whether it be a computer or IP telephone.  Wireless VoIP headsets may either have some sort of USB cable connected to the headset base unit or adapter such as a USB Bluetooth dongle to connect into a computer, or it could have a cable with a regular phone type connection which would plug into either a dedicated headset jack (typically for Cisco 7940, 7960 & 7970 model phones) or the handset receiver jack (which is the most common) on the base of a telephone.  There are a few different wearing styles to choose from when searching for a wireless VoIP headsets.  You can get a traditional over the head style in either a single or dual ear version such as the CS351N and CS361N, you can get an over the ear model with an ear bud that goes in your ear such as the CS70N and the Savi W430 USB, or you can get a convertible model that comes with both a headband and ear loops so that it can be worn either way such as the CS50-USB and the CS55.  We even have wireless VoIP headsets that will connect to both a telephone and a computer such as the Savi Office series WO100, WO200, WO300 and WO350.  So once you know exactly which VoIP device you will be using, finding a wireless VoIP headset is a snap.

	1) HW251N – The HW251N is our most popular corded headset, which offers a noise canceling microphone, in a single ear headband style. This headset has the latest wideband VOIP technology.
	2) H171N – The Plantronics H171N is great if you’re looking for a noise canceling headset and you are not sure what wearing style you might like, this is a great headset to start with. This is a convertible headset that ships with 2 wearing styles: an earloop and a headband.
	3)  H141N – The Plantronics H141N is a noise canceling convertible headset with two wearing styles: an earloop and a headband.
	4) H81 – The Plantronics H81 is our lightest, most stable, over-the-ear, earbud style headset. You receive 4 different sizes of earbuds to choose from, for the perfect fit.
	5) HW261 – The Plantronics HW261 is a dual ear, noise canceling headset that offers premium audio quality with flexible microphone boom.

If your deciding between corded models of headsets, it never hurts to see what the most popular models are, because chances are other customers have purchased corded headsets and found what they liked and continue to purchase them. With the models listed above, they’re all top of the line business grade/professional grade corded headsets made by Plantronics that are durable, comfortable and built to last. Choosing any will increase your productivity by allowing you to be hands free while talking on the phone. Once you try a corded headset, you will find it hard to be without.

Supraplus monaural, Encore monaural, and Supra monaural telephone headsets, the proper choice when hearing aid compatibility is required according to the Electronic Industries Association – (EIA) RS-504

Problem: I have hearing aids and I want to know what telephone headset is best for me?

Answer: First, we will briefly discuss the three types of hearing aids that you will be using with your telephone headset.  There is the behind-the-ear (BTE) type and it is supported by an ear hook.  The microphone is located at the apex of the ear and the receiver in the body produces the sound that travels through a tube into the ear.  BTE aids generally have a telecoil which can be connected in place of the microphone by manually activating a miniature switch on the aid.

In-the-ear (ITE) aids partially fill the bowl of the ear.  They generally incorporate a telecoil.  There is a tendency for the ITE aid to feed back, or howl, when the ear is covered by a telephone receiver, although some of the new phones are compensating for that.  The feedback is generally avoided when the telecoil pick-up is used.

Finally you have canal aids.  They are small and fit predominantly within the ear canal, so are the most discreet when worn.  Canal aids have not previously contained telecoils since the switch is not easily to manipulate.

So, what telephone headsets does Plantronics recommend for use with hearing aids?  The SupraPlus monaural, Encore monaural and Supra monaural telephone headsets are the proper headset choices when hearing aid compatibility is required since these headsets meet the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) RS-504 recommended standard for hearing aid compatibility and are compatible with BTE aids, ITE aids and canal aids (if they have telecoils).  The Tristar and Mirage telephone headsets are not compatible with BTE style hearing aids due to interference with behind-the-ear placement of the headsets and they have insufficient magnetic flux output to meet EIA 504.

Of course, you will need to make sure your headset is compatible with your telephone.  For that, you can contact the telephone headset experts at Headsets Direct (800-914-7996) and they will help you get the most out of hands free communication.

January 14th, 2011 – Headsets Direct launches our new site which will greatly help customers find more information about Plantronics headsets for assistance before and after the purchase of your headsets.   After 6-months of planning, organizing and launching our new site you will find a wealth of information on each product page along with improved organization of our headsets in groups according to what your specific application is.   First, you will see more product pictures that you’re able to zoom in on and get a close look at the details of the headset your interested in.  Next, on each product page you will find tabs to display the information you need starting with a detailed description.  The next tab group will show additional information with help pages, PDF product sheets and user guides.  You will also find detailed product information related to headset wearing styles, microphone types, talk time and distances for wireless units and much more.  We will list any products with similar or better features under the “We Also Recommend” tab.  The accessory tab will show all replacement accessories allowing you to quickly find parts related to your headset.  If we have blog posts showing related information to your product, you will find that under the “Related Blog Post” tab.  The last tab will show our “Customer Reviews” so you can get feedback from customers using the headset you are interested in.  Lastly, we have added messages to show when you need cords, amplifiers, lifters and any other item that will be required to allow your headset to be compatible with your current phone.

Our new site will be constantly adding and updating information to make your Plantronics headset experience the best possible with all related photos, users guides, help documents, accessories and more all grouped together in one easy to find location. We hope you enjoy the new site, and are open to any feedback you may have for us!