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Apple releases volume-capping software for iPods

Apple Computer said on Wednesday it has introduced a software update for its market-leading iPod that lets parents set maximum volume limits on the device, as concerns grow that loud music played through earphones might risk hearing loss.

The software update, which is available as a free download for the iPod nano and fifth generation iPod, gives users the ability to set volume caps on the iPod and lock it with a combination code, Apple said.

"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 of worldwide 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."

The company said iPod users can get the software upgrade as a free download from www.apple.com/ipod/download.

The software release came in the wake of a national class-action suit filed against Apple in a Silicon Valley federal court in January on behalf of music lovers that claimed to suffer from "iPod ear," loss of hearing due to the device.

The National Institute of Health said earlier this month that more research is needed to determine whether portable music players like the iPod increase the risk of hearing loss, in response to a lawmaker's request for a review of the issue.

"It is good to know that Apple finally acknowledges that there is a serious flaw with its iPod product, and is giving US purchasers the same protection it has been giving French purchasers since 2002," said Steve Berman, an attorney for the plaintiffs.

"Unfortunately, this patch doesn't help the millions of people who own older models. It is a jack-legged workaround that falls well short of what consumers demand and deserve."

Apple was forced to pull devices from stores in France after the country imposed a limit of 100 decibels for personal listening devices, according to the suit filed in January.

The company was able to resume selling iPods in France after modifying software to limit the volume, but did not offer similar safeguards in the US, Berman said.

Apple iPods are "inherently defective in design" and do not bear adequate warnings about possible hearing damage, court documents charged.

"Ear bud" earphones sold with the iPods do not properly disperse the sound, according to the suit.
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