ICS recommends the use of speakerphones or headsets for meetings that last more than 20 minutes. These will reduce strain on your neck and on your listening threshold. Speakerphones and headsets should have a MUTE button or other means of turning off the microphone while you are in a listening mode. This will prevent conversations in your room, air handling noises, or traffic noises on the street from being heard on the conference call. For your desk, we recommend either a headset or a speakerphone built into your telephone.
Phones manufactured in the last couple of years usually have speakerphones of good quality.
But remember, these are designed to work on the corner your desk, not in the middle of a conference room table or with a group of people. The microphone picks up voices that are directly in front of the unit. For your classroom, we recommend a speakerphone designed for group conferencing and matches the size of your room. Click here for our suggested models. If your codec is permanently assigned to a classroom or conference room, this is an excellent way to reduce equipment clutter.