EU to set volume limits on MP3 players to limit risk of hearing loss

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The EU says it will draft new technical standards to limit the volume of mobile music players.

EU Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva says maximum sound levels on the popular gadgets are damaging and will lead to more hearing loss among young people.

She says the 27-nation bloc will impose new limits setting default safe noise levels for players such as iPods and those installed in cellphones. Manufacturers will also have to include "clear warnings" on risks involved in listening to MP3 players for extended periods of time at certain volume levels.

The proposed standards, announced Monday, would see new players include a maximum sound level default at 80 decibels.