What is headphone safety feature on your iPhone?

Apple introduced the headphones safety feature with iOS 14, and like everyone, we, too, had mixed feelings about it. While the feature aims to alert the user when there’s an increased exposure to high sound output, you probably don’t want your iPhone to remind you of it. More so, if you’re having a good time with your friends. However, what is the feature all about and should you turn it off? Here’s all you need to know about it.

What does the headphone safety feature do?

The headphone safety feature on your device typically protects you from constant exposure to loud sounds. Whether you’re connected to your earphones or a Bluetooth speaker, these warnings are built-in to notify you once you’ve bypassed a decibel level that could cause you harm. The acceptable default level is 85 decibels, which is equivalent to a blender or traffic noise.

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This level of volume is determined by the guidelines set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for safe hearing. According to these standards, a user should only be exposed to a maximum of 85 decibels for eight hours a day. Additionally, IEC guidelines also recommend notifying a user once it hits a total of 20 hours a day. This means it will automatically pop up once you cross seven days of exposure of 80dB or more.

Should you turn this feature off on your iPhone?

Headphone safety may seem annoying and even repressive if you’re listening to music with your friends or even in circumstances where you need the volume to be loud. However, the feature aims to protect you from harm and should ideally be left on. Prolonged exposure to over 85dB for over seven hours can cause temporary hearing loss, and the feature aims to alert the user against this condition.

How to turn off headphone safety on iPhone

There’s a good chance that the feature may not be completely switched off even when you disable it, as Apple advises against it. However, there are a few steps that can help you keep it out of your way:

Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone and tap on Sound and Haptics
Step 3: Locate the Headphone Safety option in the menu
Step 4: Tap on the toggle which says Reduce Loud Sounds and turn it off

These steps can help you enjoy your party without the additional hassle of your iPhone turning the music down. However, it is never a bad idea to listen to loud music in moderation!