Hazard of the iPod: How Loud Is It?
We know that sounds louder than 85 decibels contribute to hearing damage. But the volume levels in the iPod are not measured in decibels.
How loud are iPods? The graph below compares the volume output of an iPod, iPod mini, and iPod nano in decibels. (Fligor and Portnuff, 2006)
Most experts suggest following the 60/60 rule of iPod listening, listen at 60% of the total volume for less than 60 minutes a day. But you can see from the graph that may be too much prevention for some listeners who are used to louder volumes. That is why setting the iPod volume limit at 70% is our recommendation.
Hazard of the iPod: How Long?
As important as how loud you listen is how long you expose yourself to loud sounds. With stock earbud style iPod headphones, the amount of time before hearing damage occurs might be shorter than you expect.
