subject: Translation Headsets & Interpreter Headphones – How They Are Used [print this page] Translation Headsets & Interpreter Headphones How They Are Used
Translation headsets (sometimes called interpreter headphones) are used in conference interpreting (aka simultaneous interpreting) situations, such as meetings, conferences, conventions, and other live events.
The presenter's words are translated ("interpreted" is really the proper term), on the fly in real time by an interpreter, who is typically in a booth listening to the speaker via an interpreter's control unit. The interpreter translates into a microphone and the signal is then broadcast throughout the room or hall by a special transmitter designed for that purpose.
The attendees listen to the interpreted words via translation headsets, i.e. earphones and radios. Translation receivers are often small FM radios which are tuned to a special frequency that does not interfere with regular FM-radio broadcasting. Most of the time, the accompanying headphones are generic and can be used with a multitude of devices.
If more than one language is being interpreted, then each language is on a separate frequency or channel, and the listeners select the language they want to hear on their translation headsets.
Some transmitters are infrared they use invisible light waves to distribute the signal throughout the room. The main use of infrared equipment is in top-secret conferences such as government and UN meetings, where even the slightest chance of eavesdropping cannot be tolerated. Since light cannot pass through opaque walls, infrared interpreting equipment is considered absolutely private (as long as you remember to close the drapes!) Infrared transmission requires infrared receivers and is generally more costly than regular translation equipment.
Major brands of translation equipment and headsets are:
Williams Sound, Listen Technology, and Bosch.
Williams Sound is the market leader in the United States. In addition to translation equipment, Williams also offers assistive listening devices to aid those with hearing difficulties. Hearing assistance is a large portion of their business. Listen Technologies is developing into a major competitor of Williams and makes excellent equipment as well.
If you need translation equipment for your next meeting or conference, here is a great source: Translation Headsets
