Beverly Hills Hearing Center was founded in 1983 by Bonnie Baehr. Prior to that, Dr. Baehr practiced at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles as a staff audiologist for seven years. She was involved with diagnostic testing, hearing aid evaluations, research and rehabilitation. Dr. Baehr did her clinical fellowship training at the Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic in downtown Los Angeles. She is a member of the American Academy of Audiology, American Speech Language and Hearing Association, California Academy of Audiology and Academy of Doctors of Audiology.
Latest posts by Bonnie L. Baehr, Au.D. (see all)
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- How to Set Up “Hearing-Safe Mode” on All Your Devices - February 17, 2026
In this day and age, we use digital devices for hours each day. This includes smartphones, tablets, computers, televisions, and game systems. All of our devices can produce harmful sound levels. It is important to manage your devices to prevent damage to your hearing. It can be difficult because we use these devices for work, entertainment, and learning.
One of the most effective ways to protect your ears is to set up a “hearing-safe mode” on your devices. There are some devices that might use a different term, but the good news is that most devices provide sound-limiting options to encourage healthy listening habits. These features are easy to use and can help provide long-term protection for your hearing health.
Read on to learn how to create hearing-safe settings on common devices and why taking a few minutes to adjust them is beneficial.
Why Hearing-Safe Settings Matter
While many people feel hearing loss only occurs in older people, with more individuals using earbuds and headphones, we expose our ears to potentially damaging sound more frequently than we realize.
Experts warn that repeated exposure to sounds above 85 decibels (dB) can damage the delicate structures of the inner ear. Many devices can produce sounds that are louder than this level, especially when using headphones or earbuds.
With earbuds and headphones, even moderate sound levels can damage our hearing because they produce sound so close to the ear canal.
Hearing-Safe Settings on Smartphones
iPhone (iOS)
Apple includes several tools to protect hearing.
- Headphone Safety: Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Headphone Safety. Turn on Reduce Loud Sounds. You can choose a maximum decibel level for your headphones.
- Hearing Notifications: The Health app can track headphone audio exposure and will notify you if you exceed safe levels.
- Live Listen: While designed for accessibility, this feature can also help clarify speech without raising volume.
These tools work together to keep headphone volume within safe limits.
Android Devices
Most Android phones include similar features, though the names vary.
- Volume Limiter: Go to Settings > Sound & Vibration > Volume. Many devices include a “safe volume” or “volume limit” option that restricts high levels.
- Hearing Protection Alerts: Android devices often warn you if you are listening at unsafe volumes.
- Digital Wellbeing Tools: Some models allow you to set time limits for headphone use.
These built-in protections make it easier to reduce exposure without sacrificing sound quality.
Laptops and Desktop Computers
We often use laptops for meetings, school assignments, video calls, and entertainment. The good news is that most operating systems, regardless of the laptop manufacturer, allow for volume limitations. Another option is to use noise-canceling headphones, which allow you to hear better without needing to turn up the volume by limiting the environmental noise.
Hearing-Safe Features on Streaming Devices and Televisions
Television speakers can vary widely in loudness, especially during action scenes or commercial breaks. To maintain safe listening levels, you can enable what is known as volume leveling or night mode, which normalizes the sound signal by smoothing out loud peaks. Also, using external speakers or soundbars provides clearer sound and allows the volume to remain low.
Gaming Consoles and Headsets
Gamers often listen to loud sound effects or intense music for long periods. Many consoles now include hearing protection by allowing you to set a maximum volume level. Also, many headsets offer built-in volume caps to protect your ears. Another option is to use closed-back headsets, which effectively block background noise so you can keep the volume setting low.
Final Thoughts
Setting up hearing-safe mode on your devices is a simple and effective way to protect your ears. Many people do not realize how loud their everyday listening habits are, especially when using headphones. By adjusting a few settings and building healthy habits, you can enjoy your favorite music, videos, and games while keeping your hearing safe for years to come.