Päälaite

Päälaite is a generic Finnish term used to describe any device that is worn on the head or functions in close relation to the head. The word is formed from pää meaning “head” and laite meaning “device,” and its use is typically contextual, spanning fields such as safety equipment, medicine, and consumer electronics. In product documentation and technical writing, päälaite often refers to the head-worn portion of a system, with other components (like a body unit or control module) described separately.

Applications and examples of usage vary by field. In consumer technology, päälaite commonly denotes head-worn devices such as head-mounted displays or augmented/virtual reality systems (VR/AR headsets). In safety and industrial contexts, it can describe protective headgear, including helmets or helmets augmented with lights and visors. In medicine and neuroscience, the term may refer to equipment mounted on the scalp or skull, such as EEG caps or surgical headframes that interface with the head for monitoring or procedures.

Usage notes and limitations. Päälaite is a broad, somewhat generic label that can be ambiguous without context. For precise communication, especially in technical or regulatory documents, it is common to use more specific terms (for example, kypärä for helmet, kuulokkeet for hearing devices, or EEG-kasiska for EEG caps) to indicate the exact type of head-worn equipment.

See also: head-mounted display, helmet, headset, headgear, PPE.