The Benefits of a Portable Communication System

Taking Complications Out of Communication

Try to recall the last time you were a member of an audience. It could be a tour, a conference, or a gathering. Do you remember the sounds of the group, the occasional cough, the shuffle of people moving, and the person next you whispering to ask what the leader just said?

In almost any setting where there is a need to address a group, ambient noise tags along and complicates communications.

In most groups, there is noise. In most spaces large enough to host a group, the acoustics cause the sound to echo and bounce. Compounding all of this is the fact that individuals without perfect hearing will struggle even more in situations where there is background noise. You can see how communication can become a challenge.

Solutions to Ambient Noise

The challenges associated with communicating with more than one person, or in noisy environments, are easily solved when you incorporate a quality communication system. We are all familiar with the sight of a stage with a microphone set in the center, just waiting for the show to start. We know that once someone takes the mic, they take control of the room.

But what about those settings where communication is key, but the group isn’t meant to stay in their seats? How do you communicate on a tour of a noisy factory? What about when exploring an ancient monument with a group of tourists? How do you communicate effectively to a group of 12 when the last three participants are lagging four yards behind everyone else?

You can shout yourself hoarse, you can try to gather the group uncomfortably close, you can frustrate yourself by trying to quiet the surroundings, or you can use a portable communication system.

Portable Communication Systems

Portable communication systems simplify communication in dynamic environments. These systems are designed to work in settings where the group needs to move and in situations where the ability to see and understand the surroundings is paramount.

Portable communications systems make it possible for each attendee to feel as though the leader is communicating directly with them. These types of systems are widely used in environments such as industrial facilities and tourism.

How Do You Need to Communicate?

Portable communication systems can facilitate either one-way or two-communication. One-way communication is excellent for settings where one person is instructing a group, such as a tour operator guiding participants. Two-way communication is useful in situations where members of a group need to communicate, like between members of a VIP group touring a new manufacturing facility.

Portable communication systems can facilitate either type of communication, but it’s important to know what will work best for your situation before purchasing.

Headsets

The benefit of using a headset is that it allows the user to be free from relying on sight of the speaker to understand, reducing the frustrations of the group. Headsets allow for freedom of mobility while fostering the ability to receive communications. These systems are designed to suit the environment.

Typically, in group settings, we pay close attention to the one who is doing the talking. A big part of this is due to the need to watch and listen carefully to understand the message. When certain words reach us garbled or unrecognizable, we can rely on reading the leader’s lips, understanding gestures, and the overall tone to piece together what we might not have heard.

When using a portable communication system, one of the most significant benefits is the ability to listen on-the-go, without focusing on the leader. After all, in most situations, the leader is there to help others interpret their surroundings.

Picture yourself on a tour to the Colosseum in Rome, busy streets full of cars zoom around the expansive ruins. You are surrounded by other small groups of tourists and there is plenty of noise. However, you’re there to learn about the history and see the ancient structure for yourself. Your headset allows you to hear clearly and learn while being free to enjoy your surroundings.

In contrast, back at work, it’s common for industrial environments to be very loud. A group of investors may visit a factory to assess if it is the right option for their next venture. They need to understand the facility from the view of a leader and expert, and they also need to be free to evaluate their surroundings. The group leader needs to ensure that safety measures are clearly communicated in a busy work environment. A portable system will block out surrounding noise, assuring clear communication, and increasing the safety of the group, and the odds of the success of the tour.

Leisure Tours

On a tour of a museum, you wouldn’t expect high levels of ambient noise. However, it may not be appropriate for the leader to speak loudly to their group and disrupt other patrons. Often these types of facilities will select earbuds, which will allow the participants to hear clearly while not impacting other customers.

Workplace Tours

In moderately noisy environments, there is the need to partially eliminate the surrounding sound for participants to hear well. An example of this may be guiding a group through a quiet factory with enclosed machinery. In these situations, it is critical that participants can hear clearly, while also being free to take in the activities around them.

Industrial Facilities

In the noisiest environments, most leaders opt for noise-canceling headsets that fit over the ears. These types of systems work great for loud locations such as active construction sites and factories with high noise levels. The earpiece blocks out ambient noise to protect hearing while also providing for direct communication to come from the group leaders.

The Benefits of Portable Communication Systems

A vital element of any gathering is communication, and communicating well is a fundamental aspect of any business. If you need to communicate with a group on the move, portable systems take the frustration out of the process. Make sure your next group can receive communications clearly, easily, and enjoyably by incorporating a communication system.