Google restricts headphone volume in these regions

New Audio Safety Feature in Android 14: A Double-Edged Sword

At the Google I/O 2023 event, the tech giant introduced an innovative accessibility feature known as the “headphone loud sound alert”as part of its Android 14 update. This intelligent system assesses a user’s “sound dose”by monitoring exposure levels over a continuous week. If it identifies prolonged high-volume listening, it initially sends out a warning notification. Should users disregard this alert, the system autonomously adjusts the volume to a safer level.

Compliance with International Standards

This audio safety intervention aligns with international safety protocols, notably the IEC 62368-1 and EN50332-3. This feature was fully integrated with the Android 15 release, ensuring that users who may be prone to hearing damage have built-in safeguards.

User Reactions: Protests from the Audience

Despite its well-intentioned design, the automatic volume control has not been universally embraced. Reports have emerged of users expressing frustration, with some claiming that the abrupt volume changes disrupt their workout routines, particularly in gyms. Commuters also voiced displeasure when their devices reduced audio levels in the car, where many prefer maximum device settings, relying instead on their stereo systems for nuanced volume adjustments.

New Control Options with the “Hearing Wellness”Menu

In response to user feedback, Android Authority has highlighted a recently discovered “Hearing Wellness”settings page designed to enhance user control over these notifications. This menu features two toggles: one for “Sound Exposure Notifications”and another for “Hearing Health.”

When both options are active, users retain a similar experience to the existing setup. If they exceed the optimal listening threshold on their Pixel device, they are presented with two choices: “Keep listening”or “Lower the volume.”Ignoring the notification will trigger the safety feature automatically, reverting to a lower volume. However, turning off both toggles disables these alerts and automatic volume adjustments entirely.

Hearing Wellness menu — Image via Android Authority

Regional Restrictions on Audio Volume Control

However, there’s a notable caveat for users in certain European Union countries, including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, where such safety measures are legally mandated. This means users in these regions cannot turn off the “Hearing Health”feature, which governs automatic volume reduction. Below is a concise summary of how the system functions across different regions:

Region / Country	Functionality	Disable Option	Comments
EU (All Member States)	Issues a warning, then auto-lowers if ignored	No	Compliance with safe-listening regulations.
EEA / Switzerland	Same as EU	No	Follows EU standards.
US & Canada	Generally issues only a warning	Yes (varies by device)	No legal requirement; some devices choose to enforce features.

Currently, for users of Pixel devices, both options in the Hearing Wellness menu are preset to active regardless of the region, with no capability to deactivate them at this time.

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