Apple iOS 14 Tip: How To Use Headphone Level Checker

Apple added a new Health app feature in iOS 14 that allows users to see headphone volume levels in real-time, letting them know if the volume is too loud or just right for their hearing health.

The new headphone level checker, which comes as an addition to the hearing features introduced in iOS 13 last year, will help users protect their hearing health as they listen to music via earbuds or headphones over a long period of time. It will actively let users know if the volume level is too dangerous in the long run or safe enough even after extended listening hours.

MacRumors noted that listening at high volumes can damage a person's hearing. For example, listening at 80 decibels (dB) for more than 40 hours a week can increase the risk of hearing loss. Listening at 90 decibels for 240 minutes a week can already cause damage. Listening at 100 decibels, even for a shorter period of time, can cause damage as well.

The new headphone level checker will help users avoid such hearing-related issues. Here's how to use the new feature:

• First, users will need to launch Settings on an iPhone running iOS 14, then tap on Control Center.
• Second, once there, users will need to scroll down to look for Hearing, then tap on the plus (“+”) button beside it.

This makes the feature accessible via Control Center. Once the feature is enabled, users can use it to monitor volume levels in real-time. Here's how:

• First, users will need to launch Control Center on their iPhone. For iPhone X and later, users will need to swipe down from the upper-right corner of the screen. For iPhone 8 and earlier models, users will need to swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
• Second, once Control Center is up, users should look for the Hearing icon, which looks like an ear. It will have a green checkmark to indicate that the volume is at a safe level. It will have a yellow exclamation mark if the volume level is too high.
• Third, tapping on the Hearing button will give users a more detailed picture, showing the actual decibel level as well as the audio accessory the iPhone is connected to.

The feature works with many headphones, but it is most accurate when the iPhone is paired with AirPods and other headsets that are Apple-certified.