In an effort to protect its users, Apple (News - Alert) will be introducing auto volume leveler feature for its iPods. This feature would automatically calculate how long a person has been listening and at what volume, before gradually reducing the sound level. What this means is that future versions of the iPod could turn down the volume if listeners play their music at full blast for too long.

The company's concern over its devices causing damage to the ears of the listeners is seconded by experts in the field who suggest that millions of teenagers could be damaging their ears in a craze to listen to MP3 songs. The iPod, like other digital music players, can store enough music to play for several days and has batteries that can last for more than 12 hours at a time. Consequently, the owners of iPods and any other such devices can keep their devices on all day along and cause damage to their ears. The device can also calculate “quiet time” which detects when the iPod is turned off and when it is restarted, allowing the volume to be increased again to a safe level.

According to a report in zdnetasia.com, the new patent states, “Since the damaging effects on users' hearing is both gradual and cumulative, even those users who are concerned about hearing loss may not behave in a manner that would limit or minimize such damaging effects.”

As of now, iPods have an ability to reach volumes of more than 100 decibels (dB) - equivalent to standing 10ft from a pneumatic drill. Although some other players can easily exceed 120dB, experts claim that listening to music at a volume of more than 100 decibels for 15 minutes has the potential to damage your ears.

This move by Apple to introduce hearing protection to iPods has come after severe criticism by hearing charities who have expressed concerns about the risk posed by MP3 players.

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Raju Shanbhag is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To see more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.