What accompanies call center employees day and night? What interacts intimately with the handsome men and beautiful women in the call center every day? What safeguards the work health of customer service personnel? It’s the headset. Though seemingly insignificant, headsets play a crucial role in communication between customer service representatives and clients. Protecting this important work partner is knowledge every agent should master.

Below are practical tips summarized by Inbertec from years of experience with headsets, for your reference:

•  Handle the cord gently. The primary cause of headset damage is pulling the cord too forcefully instead of gently disconnecting it, which can easily lead to short circuits.

•  Keep the headset looking new. Most manufacturers provide leather or sponge protective covers for their headsets. When new employees join, just as you provide them with a tidy workspace, remember to use the included protective covers to refresh the headsets.

•  Avoid cleaning the headset with alcohol. While the metal parts can be cleaned with alcohol, experts warn that alcohol is disastrous for plastic components—it can make the cord brittle and prone to cracking. Instead, use a soft cloth sprayed with a suitable cleaner to regularly wipe away makeup residues, sweat, and dust.

•  Keep food away. Avoid using the headset while eating or drinking, and never let it get mixed up with food!

•  Don’t tightly coil the cord. Some people prefer tightly winding the cord for neatness, but this is a mistake—it shortens the cord’s lifespan. 

•  Don’t place the cord on the floor. Chairs may accidentally roll over cords or QD connectors, causing damage. The correct approach: avoid placing cords on the floor, prevent accidental stepping, and use cable management accessories to secure the headset and cord.

 •  Avoid extreme temperatures. High heat can deform plastic parts, while extreme cold makes them stiff and brittle. Ensure headsets are used and stored in moderate temperatures.

 •  Store the headset in a fabric bag. Headsets often come with a storage bag to protect them from pressure in drawers, which could break the cord or microphone arm.  

•  Handle with care. Hang the headset when not in use instead of tossing it into a drawer and roughly yanking the cord to find it. Though smaller than phones, headsets require even gentler handling.

 •  Develop good usage habits. Avoid fiddling with the coiled cord or pulling the microphone arm during calls, as this can damage the arm and shorten the headset’s lifespan.

 •  Beware of static electricity. Static is everywhere, especially in cold, dry, or heated indoor environments. While phones and headsets may have anti-static measures, agents can carry static. Increasing indoor humidity helps reduce static, which can also harm electronics.

 •  Read the manual carefully. The instructions provide detailed guidance on proper headset usage to extend its lifespan