European Commission orders volume down on MP3 players, 80dB to be default max setting

The EU is turning down the volume on all iPods, MP3 and portable media players on health grounds. The European Commission has ordered manufacturers to add a default maximum volume setting of 80dB to their devices within two years.

The current maximum volume level of music players typically hovers between 100 -120dB. Citing health concerns, the Commission warns that as many as 10 per cent of portable music users risk deafness by listening to their music at 120 dB for more than an hour a day. A study by EU boffins concludes that music can be safely listened to at 80dB for 40 hours a week. The 80dB volume level is comparable with that generated roadside by traffic.

Consumer rights Commissioner Meglana Kuneva says: ‘It's easy to push up the volume on your MP3 player to damagingly loud levels, especially on busy streets or public transport.’ The EU’s standard default setting will not prohibit users from increasing the volume, but warnings will make it clear that higher-volumes are potentially unsafe. ‘The mandate is not prescriptive in terms of how this is done. Industry solutions could include, for example, labels or digital information on the screen.’

According to figures released by the US National Institute on Deafness and other Communications Disorders, the 110dB generated by today's MP3 players is the equivalent of going to a rock concert while 120db is akin to a jet taking off.