Okay, it’s not a real tiara and it certainly isn’t jewel encrusted. It’s a simple cordless head set, and whether I’m having a bad hair day, or just returning from the beauty salon, it is my go-to accessory.
I use the telephone on a daily basis. Using my headset enables me to write, cook, or even exercise at the same time. It’s multi-tasking at its best.
It gets a bit more complex when you have to call businesses and/or government departments, as their telephones use voice-activated programs to enable access to services and information. The information seeker needs to follow a series of prompts to complete the transaction or get the necessary details. While you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to navigate this kind of system - even when using an iphone - you do need to speak clearly, punch or type passwords, and enter sequential account numbers.
When you have Parkinson’s, using the telephone can be like playing a bad game of “The Price is Right”:
Door Number One:
POOR VOICE QUALITY
Door Number Two:
TREMORS
Door Number Three:
RIGIDITY
An operator may be standing by to take your call, but if you get disconnected, you need to go online to access the manual - which can present another set of challenges (see Doors Number Two and Number Three).
My headset doesn’t solve all my wireless connection problems, but it does free up my other hand and allow me a degree of accuracy when typing. It certainly helped a lot as I typed seemingly countless drafts of my new book of poetry and short prose, Naked Without My Coat (my book launch is coming up soon - Tuesday, June 10th!). I can also crank up the volume.
So go ahead, jazz up your ear, that headset is so YOU!
I use the telephone on a daily basis. Using my headset enables me to write, cook, or even exercise at the same time. It’s multi-tasking at its best.
It gets a bit more complex when you have to call businesses and/or government departments, as their telephones use voice-activated programs to enable access to services and information. The information seeker needs to follow a series of prompts to complete the transaction or get the necessary details. While you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to navigate this kind of system - even when using an iphone - you do need to speak clearly, punch or type passwords, and enter sequential account numbers.
When you have Parkinson’s, using the telephone can be like playing a bad game of “The Price is Right”:
Door Number One:
POOR VOICE QUALITY
Door Number Two:
TREMORS
Door Number Three:
RIGIDITY
An operator may be standing by to take your call, but if you get disconnected, you need to go online to access the manual - which can present another set of challenges (see Doors Number Two and Number Three).
My headset doesn’t solve all my wireless connection problems, but it does free up my other hand and allow me a degree of accuracy when typing. It certainly helped a lot as I typed seemingly countless drafts of my new book of poetry and short prose, Naked Without My Coat (my book launch is coming up soon - Tuesday, June 10th!). I can also crank up the volume.
So go ahead, jazz up your ear, that headset is so YOU!
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