FAQ's (Frequently asked questions)

There are many FAQ's related to the purchase and use of telephone headsets. These are the most common:

Q. - How do I know which headset is best suited for the environment where I work?

A. - Consider your work place environment. Is it noisy? Open plan or closed office? How many people work around you? Is it a call-centre and if so, big, small or medium in size? These questions will determine the right headset to use. Consider too if a headset is going to be subjected to extensive or normal use, ie, call-centre or normal office environment. This needs to be considered as some headsets are more robust and can take the knocks better than others.

Q. - Will a headset work on the phone I use?

A. - Headsets function on 99.9% of analogue or digital, VoiP or IP desktop telephones in the South African business or home environment. There are very few telephones that headsets will not work on. The functionality and connection of headsets from one make of telephone to the next may vary, but in short, the chances are almost 100% that a headset can be utilized provided the telephone has a RJ9 socket for the handset.

Q. - How do I answer and/or make calls using a headset?

A. - This depends entirely on the make of phone you are using. There are two types of telephone. They are either analogue or digital (also known as protocols). Many (but not all) digital office or call-centre telephones are designed or can be programmed to accommodate headsets. This means that headset users can usually answer and/or make calls at the press of a button. Analogue telephones on the other hand are far more basic. An example of an analogue telephone would be something like that that is used in the average home as supplied by Telkom etc. There are some analogue telephones that are designed for headsets use, but these are a rarity in use in South Africa, yet readily available. In the case of majority of analogue telephones, a headset would be plugged into the socket that the handset utilizes. Obviously this now renders the handset redundant other than to be picked up and put down on the telephone cradle. This is the most basic functionality of analogue telephones using headsets. If however you would rather answer the phone at the press of a button, there are little box devices called "Cradle Switches" that let you do this. These are also known as "Hook Switches" or "SLT Adaptors" (click on Headset Accessories - Bits and Pieces tab on the right).

Q. - I use PC based telephony at work. What headset should I be using?

A. - PC based telephony, also sometimes referred to as 'soft phones', may use either USB headsets or headsets that plug into PC sound cards using 0.35mm stereo jacks. Both types can be used on either desktop or laptop computers. A common use of PC headsets is Skype.

Q. - What are the benefits of cordless headsets over corded?

A. - This is a difficult question as you have to weigh up the pros and cons. Cordless headsets are fabulous and can be used up to 80 to 125 metres away from your phone (depending on building structures and environment etc), however, by virtue of being cordless, they are expensive! If your job dictates that you have to leave your desk a lot to go to filing cabinets, store rooms or warehouses elsewhere on the premises, cordless headset options may just well be the answer. If however you are primarily desk bound, stick to the corded options. Remember, in most cases, if a corded headset has a connection in the middle of the cord (known as a 'quick disconnect' or 'QD'), you can disconnect this, leave your desk in mid-conversation without taking the headset off your head, draw the file from the cabinet, sit down at your desk again, reconnect the headset at the QD and continue the conversation. Again, the biggest consideration of cordless headsets over corded is cost.

Q. - What's the difference between Bluetooth and DECT?

A. - 'DECT' is a far less common terminology heard than that of 'Bluetooth', but Headsets-4-U discourages the use of Bluetooth technology in the workplace on the basis of both cost and the pittance of range (distance it can be used from the phone). Bluetooth may on a good day provide you with 10 to 12 metres direct line of sight, whereas DECT can in some cases go as far as 125 metres and sometimes perhaps further than that. Cost and range distance - that's the difference. Bluetooth in our opinion is better utilized for cellular devices etc. Insofar as cost goes, DECT and Bluetooth are on a par, but DECT offers the greater range. Why pay the same for Bluetooth when DECT provides greater distance and freedom. (Of course one disadvantage with DECT is that your boss may expect you to keep working when you're in the bathroom)

Got a question you would like to ask regarding headsets or other products featured here? Please ask away in the comments block below and we shall endeavour to provide an answer as soon as possible.

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