With the rise in popularity of AirPods, there has been growing concern about the potential for hearing loss associated with their use. Earbuds like AirPods are particularly vulnerable to hearing loss as they lack good sound blocking, which means that listeners often have to increase the volume to hear their content over ambient noise. Non-pro AirPods are especially vulnerable due to their poor passive sound isolation. Even AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, with active noise cancellation, are not immune to this risk.
To address this issue, iPhone users can activate a maximum volume limit for AirPods. To do this, simply go to Settings > Sound & Haptics > Headphones Safety, and activate the toggle that says ‘Reduce Loud Sounds’. The default maximum volume is set at 85 decibels, but users have the option to set it anywhere between 75 and 100 decibels. If you listen to music for extended periods of time, it’s recommended that you set the maximum volume at 80 decibels.
Another setting worth activating is Sound Check. This feature matches differing audio output to the same volume, preventing sudden spikes in perceived volume when moving from one track to another. It only works in Apple Music, so it won’t stop loud audio in other media apps. To activate Sound Check on your iPhone, go to Settings > Music > Sound Check. If you use Apple Music on other devices, you can activate it by going to Music > Preferences > Settings.
It’s worth noting that some music streaming services, such as Spotify, also have settings for normalizing the volume of distinct tracks. By activating this feature, the volume will remain consistent across all tracks, regardless of the source. It’s important to check the settings for any media apps you’re using to ensure that this feature is activated.
By activating these settings and taking other precautions, such as taking regular breaks and avoiding prolonged exposure to loud sounds, users can reduce the risk of hearing loss associated with AirPods. It’s important to remember that even short durations of exposure to loud sounds can have long-term effects on hearing. By taking steps to protect your hearing now, you can ensure that you’ll be able to enjoy your favourite music and podcasts for years to come.
