With reasonable care and some simple precautions, the useful life of a microphone can be greatly extended. Because of the way that they are used, handheld transmitters are subject to being dropped. Their shape also allows them to roll off of tables and desks, increasing the chances that they will eventually suffer a fall. Both the microphone element and the transmitter electronics can be damaged by a fall, but electronic failures tend to occur slightly more often than element failures. Although a short drop is not likely to cause failure, drops from greater heights will increase the chances of damage.
Long drops can also dent the microphone windscreen or crack the transmitter case.
Even if the microphone element does not fail, repeated drops can eventually affect sound quality. The shock caused by drops can also disturb the adjustments in the transmitter electronics, possibly resulting in reduced range or poor audio quality. After a handheld transmitter has suffered a hard drop, it is wise to listen carefully to the wireless system to make certain that the sound quality has not been affected. A range test is also worthwhile. The best approach is, of course, to avoid drops altogether.