Apple Releases New iPod Volume Limit Feature

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Ever sit next to someone on the bus or subway who was listening to their iPod so loud you couldn’t think? Some people just listen to music in their headphones at such a high volume that it’s not only annoying, but can also cause hearing loss. Kids who listen to music too loud has been a concern for years. But Apple’s new iPod software update with a maximum iPod volume limit setting, will be music to parents ears. It limits the maximum volume setting to help prevent hearing loss.

UPDATE: Don’t care about hearing loss? Here’s a tutorial on how to disable Apple’s Volume Limit for iPod, iPhone and iPad.

iPod Use And Hearing Loss

Apple has sold over 40 million iPods since October 2001, so why are they just adding this volume limit feature now? Apparently this is in response to Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) who asked the National Institute of Health to investigate hearing problems associated with the iPod.

Many MP3 players, like the iPod, can produce volume levels as high as 120 decibels. FYI- That’s as loud as a police siren. Prolonged exposure to 90 decibels or more may cause some hearing loss, according to the Mayo Clinic‘s Web site.

Parents worried about their children’s hearing can even assign a secret combination to prevent the max volume setting from being changed. If children attempt to turn the volume all the way up after you’ve set a volume limit, then they will see a lock icon in the Now Playing screen.

Download Apple Update with iPod Volume Limit

So the next time you’re in the elevator with someone whose iPod is louder than the John Tesh Muzak oozing out of the speaker overhead, tell them about the volume limit. The iPod update with the volume limit software is available as a free download on Apple’s website. You can learn more at
docs.info.apple.com.