September 29, 2009 :: Posted by - SoSly :: Category - News
Media players like Apple’s iPod will be set by default to a new, lower, “safe” volume level in Europe, thanks to a new rule passed by the European Commission Monday.
The new safety standards were approved in an effort to limit hearing loss among users of MP3 players. The executive of the European Union said that the default setting is designed to discourage people from listening to devices at “dangerously high volumes.”
A recent study that listening to music on players at high volume over a sustained period can lead to permanent hearing damage, and that 5 percent to 10 percent of listeners, or 10 million people, are at risk.
The rule states that listening at 80 decibels adjusted should not exceed 40 hours per week, while 89 decibels should be limited to 5 hours each week. Settings on devices like iPods will be based on those criteria. Read more…