Crick in my neck

[Sneed]

I'd search for this thread but I'd rather go search for some Advil or something. Apparently when I got married at the ripe old age of 22 I aged 50 years. Or maybe it's the loads of interviews I'm starting to do on my cell phone.

Either way, interviewing people while typing out notes and talking into the phone that I've got stuck between my shoulder and ear, courtesy my dislocated neck, hurts. I need some type of headset to use, but I don't feel like spending much money. What should I get?

Thanks.

 

[mustangj17]

Get one of those phone pads. Mine works wonders. It sticks to the phone.

 

[reformedhack]

Offbeat suggestion, but ask your HR department if they can provide you with a headset. Quite often, and especially more so these days, companies are being accommodating when it comes to ergonomics in office equipment -- desks, chairs, phones, etc. It's the fear of a disability suit.

The last two papers I worked at -- neither of which was exactly considered to have loose pocketbooks -- would gladly spring for this kind of stuff, if there's a legitimate medical/comfort need. Even my wife's paper, which is neither of the two that I mentioned, will do the same if asked.

Bottom line: It can't hurt to ask.

Good luck.

 

[golfnut8924]

I'm glad you posted this because I've also been recently wondering about getting something like that. I would feel like a tele-marketer but it would be a lot easier to type the quotes.

 

[Sneed]

Um, my HR department is kind of myself. Or maybe my wife's--and mine, now, I suppose--Jack Russell Terrier. I'm a freelancer. He sits at home with me all day. Name's Cooper.

Anyway, that was a good suggestion.

Maybe one of the newspapers or magazines I'm writing for could hook me up. [/tongueincheek]

 

[zebracoy]

This sounds really stupid, but I'm also very proud of having thought of it.

My cell phone is a thin piece of work, and it too gives me neck cramps. What I actually have is a foam stress-reliever, the ones you squeeze in your hands, and it's a perfect square. I rest the phone on that, as it's sticky enough, and put both to my ear.

Ta-da. Less pain.

 

[Fredrick]

We're going to find out someday cellphones are the cause of brain tumors and neuorological problems. Save this post and credit Fredrick when this is proven true down the line. Beware folks. Cut back on your cell usage a bit.

 

[Sneed]

If you've got a cell phone, why not just get a Bluetooth? Much more comfortable, I think.

Also much more expensive.

And Frederick, true post, but um, kinda why they're called phone interviews.

 

[checkswinger]

Recently bought an Olympus mini-telerecorder device thingy, or whatever they call it, for about $23 at Radio Shack. Works great, no cricks.

 

[Sneed]

Went to Staples tonight, got this.

http://www.staples.com/GE-VoIP-All-in-One-Foldable-Headset/product_788621?cmArea=SC3:CG14P2253:CL164426

Not only does it (do they?) work excellently, but is (are?) quite stylish.

 

[buckweaver]

If you've got a cell phone, why not just get a Bluetooth? Much more comfortable, I think.

Also much more expensive.

If all you need is something to put in your ear so you're not cricking your neck, it won't even cost you $20.

$15 for this one: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=bluetooth&oe=utf-8&hl=en&cid=6873016808028609605&sa=title#p

$13.99 for this one: http://bit.ly/ca1oq

$10 for this one: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=bluetooth&oe=utf-8&hl=en&cid=9914076354803987011&sa=title#p

There's plenty more like 'em, too.

(And by the way, the TP-7 adapter works fine with a Bluetooth, I've found. You can record straight from your cell phone without even using your hands.)

 

[Sneed]

Cool. Although, I actually bought one of those Motorolas back in the day, and tried a fancier Jabra than that one. It was probably just me, but I just couldn't hear through them all that great and the people on the other end struggled to hear me.

And I've got some earbud thing that I can hook to my recorder, so I wanted something that would fit over my ear rather than wearing like earbuds.

Thanks again for the help, though.

 

[JackReacher]

If you've got a cell phone, why not just get a Bluetooth? Much more comfortable, I think.

Also much more expensive.

If all you need is something to put in your ear so you're not cricking your neck, it won't even cost you $20.

$15 for this one: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=bluetooth&oe=utf-8&hl=en&cid=6873016808028609605&sa=title#p

$13.99 for this one: http://bit.ly/ca1oq

$10 for this one: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=bluetooth&oe=utf-8&hl=en&cid=9914076354803987011&sa=title#p

There's plenty more like 'em, too.

(And by the way, the TP-7 adapter works fine with a Bluetooth, I've found. You can record straight from your cell phone without even using your hands.)

How do those things work, exactly? I'm guessing your phone has an app that detecs a bluetooth device? Or do you have to download something?

Driving in DC, it might be a good idea to have one. Thanks for the links, Buck.

 

[Sneed]

If your phone has Bluetooth on it, it'll work. The instructions should come in the packaging of the earpiece. It's pretty easy to set up.

 

[kleeda]

Next time, on a very special episode on SportsJournalists.com, "My bladder is full, how do I pee?"

 

[buckweaver]

How do those things work, exactly? I'm guessing your phone has an app that detecs a bluetooth device? Or do you have to download something?

Driving in DC, it might be a good idea to have one. Thanks for the links, Buck.

Pretty simple, as long as your phone is Bluetooth-capable (which all new ones are.)

On my phone -- a Sanyo which was discontinued in 2007, by the way -- I just went to Tools and there was already an option for Bluetooth. Just click "add new device," follow the instructions, and voila. Took about 20 seconds to set it up.

Then, any time you turn on the Bluetooth, the phone detects it automatically. Any call you make or receive will come over the device. Or you can just turn it off to use the phone instead.

I've never had a problem talking or hearing into mine, and I've got one of those little $15 earpieces like the ones in the links. And best of all, my recorder picks up both sides of the conversation using the TP-7 adapter.

 

[spup1122]

If you've got a cell phone, why not just get a Bluetooth? Much more comfortable, I think.

Also much more expensive.

If all you need is something to put in your ear so you're not cricking your neck, it won't even cost you $20.

$15 for this one: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=bluetooth&oe=utf-8&hl=en&cid=6873016808028609605&sa=title#p

$13.99 for this one: http://bit.ly/ca1oq

$10 for this one: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=bluetooth&oe=utf-8&hl=en&cid=9914076354803987011&sa=title#p

There's plenty more like 'em, too.

(And by the way, the TP-7 adapter works fine with a Bluetooth, I've found. You can record straight from your cell phone without even using your hands.)

How do those things work, exactly? I'm guessing your phone has an app that detecs a bluetooth device? Or do you have to download something?

Driving in DC, it might be a good idea to have one. Thanks for the links, Buck.

Sonner, I'm pretty sure it's illegal to talk on your phone while driving in the district, including with hands-free devices. When my uncle lived there, he would freak out and end every call as soon as he entered the district because he said it was a huge fine if they pull you over for talking on your phone while driving.

 

[buckweaver]

Hands-free devices are legal in D.C.: http://www.drivinglaws.org/dclaw.php

 

[spup1122]

Then I stand corrected. He just always used one and always told us it was illegal to talk on the phone hands-free or not.