iOS 14: How to check headphone levels in real time

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Last year, Apple introduced new hearing features in the Health app in iOS 13 to help users avoid high noise levels when wearing headphones for long periods of time. Now, the whole thing has been expanded. This is how the function is configured on the iPhone or iPad.

In iOS 14, Apple has improved the listening functions further developed. From now on, the volume level of what you are listening to can be measured in real time. With the new feature, Apple is placing more emphasis on the health risks associated with high volume levels. If you listen to something at 80 decibels (dB) for more than 40 hours in a week, the risk of suffering hearing loss increases. If you increase the volume to 90 dB, damage can occur after just four hours per week. If the volume is increased to over 100 dB, damage can occur after just a few minutes per week. And this is where iOS 14 comes in. With the new headphone measurement function, you can check whether what you are listening to is being reproduced at a volume that is acceptable for your ears. Both setting it up and using it afterwards are easy.

iOS 14: How to set up and use the Listen feature

To set up the feature, go to the Control Center section of iOS Settings. Then, you can add the "Hearing" control to your Control Center using the plus icon. Once you've done this, you can now monitor your headphone volume in real time. To do this, connect your headphones—AirPods or other audio products—to your iPhone and launch Apple Music or another music service. Open Control Center during playback.

Note: To open Control Center, double-tap the Home button on an iPad with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen on an iPhone 8 or earlier, or swipe down from the top right of the screen on an iPad Pro or iPhone X (2018 or later).

After opening the Control Center, tap the corresponding "Hearing" element. You can now check the level in real time. Values up to 80 dB remain in the green zone. The level turns yellow as soon as this limit is exceeded. AirPods Pro on special offer at Amazon – available now. (Photo by Milkos / Bigstockphoto)