iPod update allows users to set volume limit

The 26.7MB update, labeled iPod Updater 2006-03-23, also offers some "bug fixes" according to a brief set of release notes accompanying its release.

Apple has been criticized recently over the iPods potential to cause hearing loss if listened to at high volumes for long periods of time.

A Northwestern University professor and audiologist in November claimed that the earbud-style headphones which ship with Apple's iPod and other MP3 players can cause serious, permanent hearing loss.

Just last month, the subject escalated when a group of lawyers and an iPod owner filed a federal lawsuit against the company, claiming the iPod causes hearing loss and that the iconic music player is "inherently defective in design and are not sufficiently adorned with adequate warnings regarding the likelihood of hearing loss."

"With the increased attention in this area, we want to offer customers an easy to use option to set their own personal volume limit," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing.

The new Volume Limit feature works with any headphone or accessory plugged into the iPod headphone jack as well as Apple's iPod Radio Remote. Once set, the volume limit can be locked with a combination code.

Instructions on how to locate and activate the new features on your iPod are available on Apple's support site.