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iPods get max volume control
Digital music giant rolls out software update that lets users of Nanos and video-ready iPods set how loud their digital music players can go.
Facing a lawsuit and growing backlash over the possibility that use of iPod's earbud headphones can cause hearing loss, Apple released a software update today that will allow users to set a maximum volume level.
The free download applies to the iPod Nano and the iPod models with video-playback capabilities.
"As the leading provider of digital music players, Apple continuously brings iPod customers innovative and easy to use solutions," Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president for iPod marketing, said in a statement. "With the increased attention in this area, we want to offer customers an easy to use option to set their own personal volume limit."
The update comes two months after a Louisiana man filed a lawsuit against Apple in US District Court in San Jose, claiming iPod's earbud headphones can cause hearing damage if played too loudly. Although he did not claim to have personally sustained any hearing damage as a result of his iPod use, John Kiel Patterson sought compensation for unspecified damages and upgrades that will make iPods safer.
Patterson could not be reached for comment through his Seattle-based attorney Steve Berman.
The iPod players are "inherently defective in design and are not sufficiently adorned with adequate warnings regarding the likelihood of hearing loss," the January 31 complaint stated.
Apple does ship a warning with each iPod that cautions, "permanent hearing loss may occur if earphones or headphones are used at high volume."
The lawsuit said that wasn't sufficient, and that Apple should advise listeners as to what a safe volume level is and include a meter to alert users of the decibel level at which they are listening.
The devices can produce sounds of more than 115 decibels, a volume that can damage the hearing of a person exposed to the sound for more than 28 seconds per day, according to the complaint.
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