How do I adjust my volume booster?
What is a Volume Booster?
A volume booster is a device or software that increases the audio volume of a computer, phone, TV, or other electronic device. Volume boosters work by amplifying the audio signal to make sounds louder than the maximum native volume of the device. They are commonly found as software options on computers and smartphones, though standalone hardware volume boosters also exist.
On a computer, the volume booster may be an option in the sound control panel, media player software, or a separate program. For mobile devices like phones and tablets, the volume booster is typically an option buried in the sound or accessibility settings. Many apps also have their own volume boosting feature. Volume boost essentially overrides the maximum volume limit set by the device manufacturer.
Volume boosting allows those with hearing impairments to amplify sounds and better perceive media, conversations, and other auditory signals. It also benefits users who simply want extra loud volume for music, videos, or gaming. According to ControlAir, volume boosters can increase volume “above and beyond the original
equipment manufacturer’s capabilities.”
Why Use a Volume Booster?
There are a few key reasons why someone may want to use a volume booster:
First, volume boosters can help those who are hearing impaired by increasing the volume beyond the normal maximum levels of their devices. This allows those with hearing difficulties to better hear audio from their computers, phones, and other devices by amplifying quiet sounds (Source).
Volume boosters are also useful for boosting the volume of quiet audio sources. Some videos, songs, podcasts, or other media may have very quiet audio that is difficult to hear at normal maximum volumes. A volume booster can take that quiet audio and increase the gain substantially to make it louder and more audible (Source).
In summary, the key benefits are assisting those who have difficulty hearing and making quiet audio more audible by increasing the gain beyond normal maximum levels.
Adjusting Volume Boost on Windows
There are a few ways to adjust your overall Windows volume as well as the volume for individual apps on Windows 10 and 11 PCs:
Right-click on the speaker icon in the system tray and select “Volume Mixer”. This will open the Volume Mixer window where you can adjust the volume slider for your overall system volume. You can also adjust individual app volumes here by expanding the app sections and adjusting their specific volume sliders (Source).
You can also adjust the main system volume from the Windows Settings. Go to Settings > System > Sound and scroll down to “Adjust system volume”. Drag the main slider left or right to lower or raise the overall volume. Again, you can expand individual apps here too to alter their volumes separately.
Using keyboard shortcuts is another quick way to control volume in Windows. Pressing the Volume Up, Volume Down and Mute keys will adjust the system volume. You can also hold the Windows key and press Up/Down arrow to alter volume (Source).
Finally, many Windows laptops and keyboards have dedicated volume control buttons (often Fn + F1/F2/F3 etc) that can directly raise, lower or mute the sound.
Adjusting Volume Boost on Mac
To adjust volume boost on a Mac computer, first open System Preferences and click on the Sound icon. Here you will see volume sliders for both the Output and Input volumes. To turn up the overall volume, simply click and drag the Output slider to the right. The maximum volume boost level is 100%.
You can also use keyboard shortcuts to control volume on a Mac. To turn the volume up, press Option+Shift+Up Arrow. To turn the volume down, press Option+Shift+Down Arrow. These shortcuts will adjust volume in smaller increments compared to clicking and dragging the slider.
Additionally, you can click on the Output drop-down menu in Sound preferences to select a specific audio output device to control if you want to adjust the volume for external speakers or headphones separately from your built-in speakers.
Mac also provides onscreen volume controls in the menu bar and Control Center. Click the volume icon in the menu bar and drag the slider, or open Control Center and use the volume slider there. This provides quick access to volume boost without having to open System Preferences.
For more nuanced audio control, you can use third party apps like Sound Control to set individual volume levels for system sounds, apps, and peripherals.
Adjusting Volume Boost on iPhone & iPad
To adjust the volume boost on an iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:
First, open the Settings app. Scroll down and tap on “Sounds & Haptics”.
Next, tap on “Ringer and Alerts”. Here you will find a volume slider you can drag left or right to adjust the ringer and alert volume to your desired level. Dragging the slider to the right will increase the maximum volume, essentially boosting the volume beyond the normal maximum.
According to Apple’s iPhone user guide, “On iPhone, adjust the sound volume of media, alerts, and sound effects using the side buttons, Siri, or Control Center.” https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iphb71f9b54d/ios
Boosting the volume too high could damage your hearing over time, so adjust carefully. But for those who need a volume boost due to hearing difficulties, this setting provides an easy way to amplify the sound as needed.
Adjusting Volume Boost on Android
To adjust the volume boost on an Android device, you’ll need to go into the Settings app and modify the media volume slider:
First, open the Settings app on your Android device. This is typically accessed by tapping the gear icon on your home screen or app drawer.
Next, scroll down and tap on “Sound & vibration” (on some devices this may be called “Sound”).
On the Sound settings screen, you’ll see volume sliders for Ring volume, Media volume, Alarm volume, etc. To boost the overall maximum volume, drag the “Media volume” slider all the way to the right.
Dragging this slider to the maximum position will disable any volume limits and allow your device to play audio at full volume through headphones or speakers.
You can test the boosted volume by playing music or video. Note that increasing the maximum volume could damage your hearing over time, so use caution.
For more granular control over volume boost, you can also download third-party volume booster apps from the Google Play Store, but adjusting the media volume slider is the simplest way to accomplish this on Android devices.
Third-Party Volume Booster Apps
In addition to the built-in volume boosters in operating systems, there are also third-party apps you can download to get additional volume boosting features.
Some popular volume booster apps include:
- Volume Booster GOODEV – This app for Android allows you to boost your speaker or headphone volume beyond the max system volume. It has over 10 million downloads on the Google Play Store. Volume Booster GOODEV
- Boom: Volume Booster & Equalizer – Boom is available for both iOS and Android. It provides system-wide volume boost as well as an equalizer to customize your audio. Boom has over 5 million downloads on Android.
- Volume Booster – Sound Booster – This Android app called XBooster allows you to increase volume higher than your phone’s max volume. It also has a bass booster and equalizer. Volume Booster – Sound Booster
To use these volume booster apps, you simply need to download them from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Then open the app and adjust the volume boost slider to your desired level.
Be careful not to set the volume too high as extended high volume can damage your hearing over time.
External Volume Boosters
External volume boosters are portable devices that can amplify the audio from your smartphone, tablet, computer, or other device. They connect via the headphone jack or USB port and provide additional power to boost the volume beyond your device’s built-in speakers or audio output.
External volume boosters, also called portable amplifiers or amps, are popular with audiophiles and anyone who wants more volume output. They are compatible with smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, MP3 players, and more. The amplifier takes the audio signal and increases the power, allowing you to raise the volume to much higher levels without distortion.
Some key benefits of external volume boosters include:
- Increase maximum volume output from your device
- Improve audio quality and clarity
- Enhance bass response
- Drive high-impedance headphones
- Compact and portable design
Popular options for external volume boosts include the FiiO A1 amp, the Sony PHA-1A, the JDS Labs C5D, and the AudioQuest DragonFly series. These portable amps range from $50 to $300 and offer USB connectivity, headphone jack input, volume control knobs, and rechargeable batteries for on-the-go use.
Before purchasing an external volume booster, consider your intended usage – heavier audiophile headphones may require more power amplification than basic earbuds. Look for amps that support your device connections and have sufficient power output ratings. With the right portable amp, you can significantly increase volume from any smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Max Volume Caution
Listening to high volumes for a prolonged periods can irreversibly damage your hearing over time. The CDC warns that noise above 120 dB can cause immediate damage to your ears in a short period. Even lower levels, like 85 dB, can lead to gradual hearing loss if you’re exposed for periods of 8 hours or longer, as stated by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
To avoid hearing damage, medical experts advise against loud volumes for extended periods. The safe volume threshold before risking any damage is 85 dB for limited exposure. For reference, that’s about as loud as the average vacuum cleaner. Any boosting over that level should be brief to prevent gradual loss over time.
Using the volume boosting techniques discussed here will make quieter sounds louder, but be sure to limit your overall exposure and avoid maxing out your system’s capabilities. Follow the recommended healthy volume and time limits, turn down the volume and/or take listening breaks periodically. Protecting your hearing should be the top priority.
When to See a Doctor
It’s important to see a doctor if you experience any of the following persistent issues with your device’s volume:
- The volume is constantly too low even when turned all the way up. This could indicate an underlying hardware issue.
- The volume suddenly drops significantly lower than normal levels. Sudden volume changes should always be evaluated by a professional.
- You experience ear pain or discomfort when trying to increase the volume. This could signify an ear infection or other medical issue that needs attention.
As the Mayo Clinic advises, “Most health care providers recommend a baseline hearing check at 50 and then regularly scheduled follow-up assessments after that based on your personal risk factors.”
Additionally, you should see an audiologist or ear, nose and throat specialist if you experience a hoarse voice or other vocal changes lasting over two weeks (source). They can properly diagnose and treat any underlying medical conditions contributing to your volume issues.
