Headphones
From ArticleWorld
Headphones consist of two small loudspeakers joined together by a band and placed over the user’s ears. They convert electrical signals received from sound players into audible sound waves. Many headphones, called headsets, are also equipped with a small microphone.
Headphones are used in places where the user has to keep his hands free, such as a switchboard or call centre operator, when privacy is required, to avoid disturbing others, or when sound levels outside are very high, such as aeroplane cockpits.
Headphones can be connected to equipment such as computers, radio sets, media players and cell phones. They can be used to receive telephone and radio communications, and they may also be used to aid in hearing.
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Types
Canalphones / IEMs (In-Ear Monitors)
This type of headphones is the smallest in size and extremely portable. Placed inside the ear canal, canalphones produce sound with amazing clarity. IEMs or canalphones come in 2 main types: universal and custom. Universal IEMs can be used by anyone, whereas custom ones are specially designed for a specific user’s ear.
Earphones
Earphones are mini-headphones which are placed in the outer opening of the ear, just outside the ear canal. They are usually less costly and highly portable. However, they are inefficient in drowning out external sound and with the result that volume may be turned up to unacceptably high levels, increasing the risk of deafness.
Supra-aural
‘Supra’ is Latin for ‘above’ and ‘aural’ is derived from the Latin word ‘auris’, meaning ear. Supra-aural headphones consist of pads that are place on the top of the ears. They are larger than earphones.
Circumaural
Circumaural is derived from two Latin words which mean ‘around the ear’. This type is the largest of all, and most comfortable. They consist of pads that go around the user’s ears. Circumaural headphones are commonly employed in recording studios.
Benefits
Headphones can be used in places where using speakers would be disturbing, or when privacy is needed. They are used instead of traditional handsets because they are ergonomically better and more comfortable, especially the wireless ones.
Dangers
Headphones may cause temporary or permanent hearing loss, with or without the user’s knowledge. The user may increase the volume to a very high level, especially in noisy environments, in order to cancel out background sound. Prolonged exposure to such high volumes could prove dangerous and many manufacturers are trying to bring out improved models to overcome this drawback.