San Jose, Calif. – Apparently, Apple Computer Inc. is listening. With concerns about hearing problems mounting and lawyers looking to make manufacturers liable, the maker of the predominant iPod music player has created new volume controls.
Apple issued a software update Wednesday for its recent iPod models – the Nano and the video-capable iPod – allowing users to set how loud their digital music players can go.
Parents also can use the feature to impose a maximum volume on their child’s iPod and lock it with a code.
Sandy Liao, a Fremont mother of two, welcomed the development, although she wants to see Apple eventually add the feature to the models she has, the Shuffle.
She specifically avoided buying her children any kind of portable music or CD player out of concern they would damage their ears.
Apple representatives said little about reasons for the change, issuing only a statement.
“As the leading provider of digital music players, Apple continuously brings iPod customers innovative and easy- to-use solutions,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president for iPod marketing. “With the increased attention in this area, we want to offer customers an easy-to-use option to set their own personal volume limit.”
Earlier this year, a Louisiana man filed a lawsuit against Apple, claiming that the iPod can cause hearing loss in people who use it.
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 filed in U.S. District Court in San Jose.
