Plantronics Mobile Headset Amplifier with 2.5mm Plug

The Plantronics MHA100 amplifies incoming sounds up to 24dB and makes words easier to understand with Clarity Power technology. Portable and convenient, the MHA100 can be used in loud environments and by those with mild to moderate hearing loss. The MHA100 is designed for mobile, cordless and cellular phones with a 2.5mm headset jack.

---

Plantronics Mobile Headset Amplifier with 2.5mm Plug

---

Features

* Clarity Power technology increases the volume of high frequency sounds, the kind of sounds many people can't hear clearly on the phone
* Hear every word up to 3 times louder
* Works with most mobile, cordless and cellular phones
* Voice/sound activated - turns on/off automatically
* Ideal for mobile professionals who hold conversations in noisy environments

---

Review

---

You will hear them loud and clear...

I've had one of these headset amplifiers for over a year now.

I like to talk on my cell phone while driving, but only with a headset. I found a couple of different headsets that have earpieces that actually mount in your ear. They were great for blocking out ambient noise, but the people I called had a hard time hearing me.

So I tried a couple of over-the-head style "full headsets"--the bulkier type that have a band that goes over your head and a microphone on a long boom that can be adjusted so that it is directly in front of your mouth. People could hear me great on these headsets, but even on my cell phone's loudest setting I couldn't hear them well.

That's when I found this headset amplifier. When I use it with my bulkier headsets I can have a cell phone conversation in either of my cars and hear what is being said. The amplifier is adjustable and is quite loud at its loudest setting (it would be great for people with hearing problems).

This headset has a few drawbacks. First, it is voice activated to save batteries. So, if the person you are speaking to doesn't say anything for several seconds, it can sound like they hung up on you. You get used to this after a while.

It is only really a problem when I'm on hold and the hold music is not loud enough to keep the amplifier activated. When this happens, I press a status button on my cell phone periodically. The "beep" pressing the button makes activates the amplifier, thus letting me hear the hold music and know that I am still connected.

The amplifier takes three watch-size batteries that cost around a couple to a few bucks each. The batteries last a fair amount of time, but the cost adds up over time. I would give this headset an enthusiastic 5 stars if it had a cigarette lighter plug as an optional power source.

I should also mention that battery door isn't very secure. It has opened on me a few times.

Despite its limitations, I give this amplifier 4 stars because it has solved a problem for me. And as far as I can tell, it is the only such device made.

Posted in: Plantronics