EU calls for maximum volume limit on all MP3 players
The European Commission is calling for a suggested maximum volume to be set on MP3 players in order to protect consumers' hearing.
All players including Apple's iPods would have the same volume limits if the EU gets its way.
A report last year warned that up to 10m people in the EU face permanent hearing loss from listening to loud music for prolonged periods.
Reports suggest the EU wants the default maximum setting to be 85 decibels, although users would apparently be able to override this setting to reach a top limit of 100 decibels.
We can't help thinking the ability to override any limit would negate the point somewhat, though previous tests have shown players currently on the market can top that 100 dBs.
Are we capable of looking after our own ears? Or do some of us, children especially, need to have the volume limited for them? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
Comments
If this goes through then it will only be a matter of time before add on amplifiers are sold. Or you can build one for under £2 using something like the TDA2822M audio chip. Works from 1.8V to 15V, I can see myself selling loads on ePrey...
re the "it's our free will to deafen ourselves if we want lobby" (an unusual interest group!), that's fair enough, provided you undertake not to ever avail of the NHS when it causes a deterioration in your health. Smokers - same goes for you next time you whine about the price of ciggies!
Maybe more useful will be to include in package comprehensive education material with every player and every headphones.
There are several levels of nonsense here, in no particular order:
1) I've read (Guardian.co.uk) that industry representatives claim 85dB would be drowned out by ambient noise. Well, it wouldn't if the industry included decent headphones. This is just a way of them avoiding having to supply more expensive units.
2) Likewise, limiting the player without any reference to the supplied headphones is plainly stupid. Anyone who reads this site knows that decent headphones deliver loads more volume than the tat that Apple and co supply.
3) IMO it is reasonable to limit the dB delivered to kids. However, there is also an argument that adults should be free to deafen themselves. But let's be honest - kids are going to work out how to circumvent the age restrictions faster than adults!
agree that it's pointless if you're using non-standard earphones. Using my Shure SE110s on an aeroplane recently had me turn the in-flight entertainment vol (set at a default 8/10) down to 2. Unfortunately, the PA announcements would override my setting and come in at (I'm guessing) 8/10. It did cause a few raised eyebrows in the cabin when I reacted with a very loud expletive to the announcment that lunch would be served...
It's all about choice, let us people have that choice
In my personal experience, I find that the headphones make more of a difference to the volume of the sound than the player does. Smaller in ear headphones need less power from the mp3 player to work than on ear headphones. So they could be branding a whole host of headphones useless IMO.
I'm sure Apple ,especially, would be able to include some age verification in the tracks to limit the volume for under 18s, older than that you are responsible for your own actions.