| The Receiver Much of people's | | | | developing telephone neck syndrome |
| phone-related discomfort stems from poor | | | | (TNS). TNS is a consequence of prolonged |
| receivers (the part of the phone into | | | | working with the neck bent to the side. |
| which you talk and listen). When buying | | | | Working with this posture can result in |
| a phone, hold the receiver against your | | | | hypercontracted muscles on phone side |
| ear as if you were having a | | | | restricting blood supply, becoming |
| conversation. If the earpiece is | | | | irritated, and going into spasm. |
| uncomfortable, try a different model. | | | | Elongated muscles on opposite side can |
| Phones - like people - come in different | | | | also cause pain. To reduce the chances |
| shapes and sizes, so you should be able | | | | of TNS you might want to consider |
| to find one that's comfortable. Also | | | | hands-free options, such as: A headset |
| make sure that the receiver fits | | | | (one of the most common and effective |
| comfortably in your hand. | | | | solutions) ; A speakerphone (more |
| If you're shopping for a phone for your | | | | difficult for private conversations if |
| home office, think about whether it | | | | you're in a shared space or in a noisy |
| should be cordless, which will allow you | | | | setting); and A neck rest that attaches |
| to move around. You can also look for a | | | | to the back of the phone headset and |
| headset option on nearly any phone | | | | allows you to cradle the phone between |
| (corded or cordless) which allows you to | | | | the neck and shoulder without an awkward |
| talk hands-free. This is often the | | | | posture. |
| preferred solution for people who talk | | | | Note that using a hands-free feature |
| for long periods of time. | | | | also makes it easier to conduct |
| The Keypad While you're in the store, | | | | simultaneous tasks (such as typing or |
| try dialing a phone number on the | | | | writing) while using the phone. |
| keypad. Make sure that you can easily | | | | Headsets facilitate hands-free phone |
| and accurately hit the buttons. (Some | | | | use, while protecting the privacy of the |
| phones have their buttons placed closer | | | | conversation. A headset has an earpiece |
| together, making it harder for people | | | | for listening with one or both ears, and |
| with large fingers to dial). Verify that | | | | an attached microphone for speaking. |
| you can read any information displays on | | | | Additional features of headsets may |
| the phone. Think about how you'll use | | | | include ear buds that discretely fit |
| the phone. The advantage of most desktop | | | | inside the ear, cordless units that |
| phones is that the keypad is on the base | | | | allow increased mobility, |
| unit, which allows you to see what | | | | noise-cancelling microphones that cancel |
| you're dialing while holding the | | | | out background noise, and amplifiers to |
| handset. This is especially useful if | | | | increase the audible signal. |
| you spend a lot of time in voice mail | | | | Speakerphone Speakerphones facilitate |
| and other automated systems where you | | | | hands-free phone use, though there is |
| have to make numeric selections. Phones | | | | little a user can do to maintain call |
| with the number pad on the handset are | | | | privacy. |
| less convenient for this kind of work, | | | | Neck Rest Neck rests are large pieces of |
| since it's difficult to simultaneously | | | | plastic or cushioned material that |
| push numbers and listen to automated | | | | attach to the back of a receiver, |
| voice commands. | | | | minimizing the strain involved with |
| Accessories/Options If you use your | | | | wedging the receiver between the |
| phone a lot, keep in mind the risks of | | | | shoulder, neck and ear. |