With loss of hearing becoming a major epidemic that no one seems to be addressing in the age of the ubiquitous iPod, it's refreshing to seea successful earphone manufacturer not only raise awareness, but do something about it.

Loud Enough is a new line of earphones aimed at kids and made by Ultimate Ears. The concept is simple: built-in circuitry limits the volume output of the earphones. Children can blast their iPods at maximum volume, and the sound pressure level will still be roughly 20 dB lower than it would with a normal pair of earphones. The pairs, which will sell for an affordable $39.99, come in a variety of kid-friendly colors, look like regular UE earphones, and will be available through www.loudenough.com in the coming weeks (the Website launches mid-next week). They sound great on first listen, and they definitely do their job of volume limiting. My formal review is on its way.

And now a bit of preaching. Do you listen to your earphones too loud? I bet you do. Ever hear ringing when you take them off? Do you find yourself raising the volume slowly over the course of a flight or train ride? If you value your hearing, you're going to have to change your habits--or get used to saying "huh?" a lot in your later years. These earphones are aimed at kids, but wouldn't look goofy on an adult, and could just be the antidote to the abuse most people--myself, at times, included--put their ears through.

I applaud Ultimate Ears for addressing the issue of hearing loss, and I encourage everyone with children--or a blaring iPod addiction--to check them out.

Post by Tim Gideon