Headsets are great tools for both communication and hearing protection. This communication accessory is useful for those who work in loud and dangerous environments.
It can be hard to communicate and hear coworkers over loud noises, headsets help coworkers hear one another. Moreover, headsets provide hearing protection to prevent noise-induced hearing loss—a disease caused by consistent unprotected exposure to dangerous noise levels.
Countless industries highly benefit from using communications headsets. There are five that specifically benefit from continually using updated comms headsets. These industries include:
- Firefighters
- Airport workers
- Construction Workers
- Manufacturers/Factories
- Shooting Ranges
Determining which headsets are right for your industry can be challenging. Read this article to decide what headsets your profession can benefit from using.
Firefighters:
Firefighters are a primary group in public safety that would benefit from investing in updated communications headsets. This is a useful radio accessory for firefighters because it can help them hear and transmit communications in loud environments.
For instance, during firefighter responses there are sirens, people shouting, the hoses running, and various machinery—these cause a high noise environment that is challenging to communicate within.
Firefighters can use communications headsets while in the truck on the way to a rescue response. With the headsets, they can communicate clearly with one another through the noise of the siren and truck.
Lastly, headsets can be used as hearing protection and communication devices during training sessions. Look for headsets with a high NRR (noise reduction rating) and environmental listening. These features will lower users’ risk of NIHL or noise-induced hearing loss while maintaining their awareness of their surroundings.
- What Headsets are Available:
- Name: Setcom LiberatorMax Fire Headset for Fire Apparatus Communications
- Price: $962.50
- Features:
- Easiest installation on the market today
- No syncing / pairing
- 7 radio transmit and/or intercom positions
- 16 separate talk-group channels
- Can connect up to two mobile radios
- Range: Up to 1,500 feet (line of sight)
- Ability to integrate portable radio into the headset
- “Instant On” – No need to turn the headset on and off.
- Premium dual-speaker headset with noise reduction rating of 23dB
- Full-duplex intercom communications
- Available in Behind-the-Head style
- 15 hours battery life
- Truck-to-truck wireless intercom: Great for pump operators, brush trucks and incident scene command
Airport Workers:
Airport workers is a broad term because many people work to keep airports safe and organized. Employees who work on the tarmac and around the physical planes need headsets that provide significant hearing protection.
On take-off, an airplane can create up to 140dB noise levels. One-time unprotected exposure to these levels can cause temporary hearing damage. Consistent unprotected exposure can lead to noise-induced hearing loss or NIHL.
Hearing protection headsets with a high NRR or noise reduction rating can help prevent NIHL. This should be a priority of all airports to protect their employees’ health. Another reason why headsets are optimal for tarmac workers and other airport employees is communication.
Comms headsets will help employees communicate clearly through noise-canceling boom microphones. Moreover, the headsets will enable them to hear fellow employees' comms clearly. Hearing one another on the tarmac will protect everyone’s safety and efficiency.
In real-time workers will be able to hear directions on where to go or be, making them efficient in their work. They will also be able to be aware of their surroundings by getting warnings to avoid areas because of a plane malfunction etc.
- What Headsets are Available:
- Name:3M PELTOR WS ProTac XPI Headset Headband MT15H7AWS6-111, FLX2
- Price: $697.98
- Features:
- Bluetooth connection
- Can be connected to two Bluetooth devices at once
- Noise canceling boom mic
- Environmental listening
- Bright yellow for visibility
- IP68 rating for water and dustproof
- Hearing protection
Construction Workers:
Headsets are a great resource for construction workers. Not only can these accessories protect workers from hearing damage due to proximity to machines and tools, but they will also keep them connected.
Heavy construction equipment can reach 80-120dB and power tools average around 115 dB. These are both above safe listening levels—below 80 dB. With an NRR of 24 or above, headsets can get construction workers within or close to safe listening levels.
Construction is a dangerous industry with many moving parts. Communication is an extremely useful tool to keep construction workers safe and efficient. Lastly, headsets enable hands-free communication while workers operate tools and machinery.
- What Headsets are Available:
- Name: 3M PELTOR WS LiteCom Plus Headset MT73H7A4610WS6NA, Headband
- Price: $913.02
- Features:
- 22 pre-programmed FRS channels
- Multipoint Bluetooth Connection
- Comfortable headband for longwear
- Environmental listening
- Noise canceling waterproof speech microphone
- VOX
Manufacturers:
Communication headsets are vital to manufacturers operating safely and efficiently. Headsets are a tool for instant warnings or directions like machinery malfunctioning or evacuations.
In manufacturing settings, users can completely miss or mishear transmissions from loud machinery. Two-way radio speakers are not loud enough to be heard over machinery. The built-in microphones in radios are not designed to pick up clear comms over loud backgrounds.
Comms headsets have boom microphones that are noise canceling so only what is spoken in the mic will be transmitted. This clarity minimizes confusion amongst workers and thus increases productivity and safety.
Lastly, manufacturers work with their hands, so hands-free communication is a priority. Communications headsets provide this freedom while maintaining connection.
- What Headsets are Available:
- Name: Team Communications System Headset
- Price: $935.00
- Features:
- 8 users intercom
- Full duplex
- 8 talk group channels
- Can integrate portable radio into the headset
- Range of up to 1500 feet line of sight
- NRR of 23db
- 15-hour battery life
- Headset shuts off after 15 minutes of inactivity
- No installation of base station required
Shooting Ranges:
The top two reasons shooting ranges will benefit from upgrading their communications headsets are increasing hearing protection and communications among staff. A gunshot, let alone many going off at once, reaches dangerous noise levels.
An average firearm will produce between 140 and 165 decibels of noise. These noise levels will cause permanent hearing damage or even loss if exposed consistently. Any shooters should wear hearing protection, but staff should even more so. Shooting range staff members are exposed to dangerous noise levels for extended periods.
Moreover, although shooting ranges are for practice, it is still dangerous as many firearms are being discharged at once and there is a lot of noise. Communication headsets can simultaneously protect staff’s hearing and allow them to hear one another properly while communicating across distances.
- What Headsets are Available:
- Name: 3M PELTOR ProTac Shooter Headset, Green, Headband
- Price: $1,025.92
- Features:
- NRR 26dB
- Environmental microphones
- 5mm listen-only stereo input for connection
- Voice-guided menu system for easy adjustments
- Low-battery warning
- Electronics are in a separate cup to prevent corrosion from sweat and moisture
...
Communications headsets are an asset in many industries. They prove the most useful in loud environments where hands-on labor is an everyday task. These industries also often fall into the “dangerous profession” category.
Consequently, headsets are a primary safety tool because communication is the first step to a safe workplace. The comms market is flooded with headsets making it challenging to decide which is best for your teams.
We hope we have provided you with the best information on headsets for your industry. If you have any questions on communications headsets or critical communications accessories, please feel free to reach out to our team of experts.
