As a K-12 educator, you already know how important school headsets can be to help improve concentration and focus while minimizing noise and distractions. But how can you ensure that your investment in high-quality headsets lasts for longer than a single school year?
Here are some tips for teachers who want to keep their classroom headphones lasting for years to come:
Store them properly
By designating a specific area or container for the school headsets when not in use, you can protect them from getting tangled with other cords or damaged by accidental falls. Make sure that the storage space is clean and dry as moisture and dirt can cause damage over time. Special headphone storage bags like these can be used throughout the school year to ensure safekeeping when not in use.
Avoid excessive wear and tear
Children tend to specialize in being somewhat rough and destructive with equipment like headphones, which is why it’s important to set your expectations for how they should be treated early on in the year. Teach your students not to yank their headphones or headsets off of their heads, bend them, chew the cord or twist them too tightly. If you’re going to be using school headsets for a long period of time during testing or an in-depth lesson, take breaks every 30 minutes or so to give your young learners’ ears a rest and help them resist the temptation of playing with their headsets.
Clean them regularly
Use a soft, dry cloth or specialized disinfectant wipes like these to wipe down the ear cups and headband. If your headphones have removable ear pads, you can also wash them in cold water with a mild detergent. This can not only significantly reduce the spread of germs and bacteria in your classroom but can also help your school headsets stay looking new longer.
Additional tips for long-lasting school headphones
- Choose headphones that are designed for classroom use. These headphones are often made with durable materials and are designed to withstand the rigors of everyday use. School headsets like the AVID AE-42 feature minimal moving parts and a sturdy, rugged headband designed to stand up to even the busiest of little fingers.
- Consider buying a pair of headphones with a warranty. This will give you peace of mind knowing that you can replace your headphones if they break within the warranty period. This can come in especially handy for bulk purchases of classroom headphones.
- Talk to your school administration about purchasing headphones for your classroom. Many schools have a budget for classroom supplies, and they may be willing to purchase headphones for you. If no such budget exists within your school, consider approaching the PTA or student council to help organize a fundraiser for new school headsets.
Following these tips can help you protect your investment and keep your classroom set of headphones working perfectly for years to come.