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