A headset is not the same thing as a headphone. A headphone has two earpieces and mainly is used for listening to music or movies. It offers simple, one-way communications. A headset will have one or two headset earpieces and a headset microphone. It is used for listening and talking. It offers reliable, two-way communications on phones, computers and other devices.

Headsets allow you to communicate while having both hands free. You can use those free hands on a keyboard or the steering wheel of your vehicle. A headset also allows you to use just one ear for listening to the headset.

The first headsets were used for wireless radio communications. They were alternatives to the old headphones. Headsets first became popular in the aviation field. Pilots wanted something lighter and more comfortable to wear. Plantronics developed such a product.

The first widespread use of headsets was by Bell system telephone switchboard operators in the 1960s. The operators sought a substitute for their heavy headsets, which tired their necks and backs. They needed an ergonomic solution.

The aviation headsets were adapted for use by the Bell operators. In 1970 the StarSet headset was developed. It was a headset that fit over the ear instead of over the head. Later the Supra headset was developed. It would become the most popular telephone headset.

As telephone operators were replaced with direct dial telephones, the headsets were adopted by other workers. They became popular and considered a necessity by call center workers and telemarketers. They could listen and talk to customers while using their hands to write or type.

During the 1990s, as mobile phones using cell phone technology became common, a newer opportunity arose. As wireless communication has grown, people have wanted hands-free telephone headsets. So they were developed.

The wireless headset microphone lets people talk on the go without holding a phone. The benefits of hands-free mobile communications seem to be endless.

The devices are Bluetooth-enabled or Bluetooth-capable. Bluetooth is a radio frequency technology that connects two or more electronic devices without using any cords. It is an outgrowth of the formation of the Bluetooth SIG (Bluetooth Special Interest Group) in 1998. Wherever I go I see people using the Bluetooth cell phone headset, which has been around only since 2000.

As personal computers became widespread for business and home use, the computer headset was developed. It can be used for making phone calls over the Internet with VoIP and Skype, using a VoIP headset or a VoIP wireless headset. It also is great for interactive computer gaming. It can even be used for speech recognition.

You can be sure that as new business and personal needs arise, Plantronics, Jabra (GN Netcom), Motorola and other companies will produce new headsets to meet those needs.