Use headphone audio-level features on iPad

You can set a maximum decibel level to ensure that headphone audio doesn’t become uncomfortable for you. iPad analyzes your headphone audio and reduces any sound above this level.

You can also check whether the current audio level is OK or loud by viewing a headphone level meter.

Reduce loud headphone sounds in Settings

Go to Settings > Sounds > Reduce Loud Sounds.
Turn on Reduce Loud Sounds, then drag the slider.

Note: If you set up Screen Time for a family member, you can prevent them from changing the Reduce Loud Sounds level. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Reduce Loud Sounds, then select Don’t Allow.

Check your headphone level while you listen

While using headphones with iPad, you can use Hearing in Control Center to check their current decibel level. AirPods, EarPods, and many other wired and wireless headphones are compatible with Hearing in Control Center.

Go to Settings > Control Center, then add Hearing.
Connect your headphones, then play audio.
Open Control Center, then tap .
The audio level (in decibels) of your headphones is displayed on the Headphone Level meter.

Note: You can also scroll below the Headphone Level meter to turn Live Listen on or off. See Use iPad as a remote microphone with Live Listen. Typically, headphone level monitoring and Live Listen aren’t used at the same time. The Headphone Level monitor is intended for listening to audio playback. Live Listen is intended for listening to external sounds with the iPad microphone.

Improve the accuracy of audio measurements for third-party Bluetooth headphones

Classify your Bluetooth devices as headphones, speakers, or other devices.

Go to Settings > Bluetooth, then tap the information button next to the name of the device.
Tap Device Type, then choose a classification.

When you connect AirPods, EarPods, and other compatible headphones to your iPad, the headphone audio levels are automatically sent to iPad. Headphone audio measurements are most accurate when using Apple or Beats headphones. Audio played through other headphones can be estimated based on the volume of your iPad.

Helpful?

iPad User Guide

Use headphone audio-level features on iPad

Reduce loud headphone sounds in Settings

Check your headphone level while you listen

Improve the accuracy of audio measurements for third-party Bluetooth headphones