Headset failure due to avoidable cable damage causes lost productivity, repairs and on going hassle.
Most damage is caused completely unintentionally.
Some terrible things are done to headset cables - they're often the victims of unseen abuse and when they stop working they're roundly condemned. Of course sometimes, they can be faulty at the outset, but mostly when they fail its usually due to some kind of trauma.
Either the repetitious tugging and twisting, 'dying by a thousand cuts' variety or the catastrophic 'oops, that used to be my headset' as the wearer moves away from their phone, forgetting to disconnect themselves.
Unfortunately, many users pull and stretch cables and connectors inadvertently, but place enormous stresses upon the equipment, well beyond its capability. This might be tolerable if they were made of steel. But in time, these actions and the odd "accident", create problems.
An example: I called into see a lady client a few years ago after she complained that her headset was only fairly new and wasn't working properly. It was 'cutting in and out'. I waited in the company's reception area to speak with her about the problem.
I could see she was on a phone call but wasn't aware that I was waiting for her. As I waited, I watched, my face contorting as she played with the headset cable, sub-consciously twisting and tugging it around her fingers - no wonder she had problems with it. I suggested that she get herself a stress ball instead!
When in the hands of a 'wrecker', in time, sometimes no time, things start to happen. They'll be talking and all of sudden a crackling or hissing sound starts to join the conversation. Eventually becoming unbearable where the headset can-t be used any longer. Other symptoms include call 'drop outs' and volume fading in and out.
Some pointers:
1. Take care when disconnecting a headset from its base or at the quick disconnect, if it has one. Check the cable to see if there are thumb grips on the two plugs.
2. Unfortunately it goes on all the time - never disconnect a cable by pulling or yanking the cabling either side of the actual connector.
3. 'Quick disconnector' really don't like to be twisted or bent - this squashes the pins inside and eventually they wont make good contact anymore and this is where the 'hiss' and other 'activity' starts to develop, ruining your phone calls. So, make sure to pull the two halves straight apart without bending or twisting.
4. Clothing clips. If the cable has one, use it. This helps distribute the weight of the cable across your body and lessens the stress upon the cable, and its more comfortable for the wearer as well.
5. Don't let the cable drape under the desk and onto the floor. It's likely you'll run over the cable and damage it and there have been people seriously injured, tripping over cables.
Something that creates concern in service departments is when a headset comes in for repair and the sender has tightly wrapped the cables several times around - say, an amplifier or something solid - stretching them.
What's ironic is that even if the item wasn't necessarily faulty when they sent it - it is now after they have elongated the cable and destroyed its ability to coil neatly and perhaps have created additional wiring issues as well.
So treat your cords well, after all, they're only made of wire and plastic and even the cables on the best headsets are only good for a few "accidents". The cost of replacement is quite high and definitely inconvenient.
