METHOD OF LIMITING THE MAXIMUM PERMITTED SOUND VOLUME IN AN EARPHONE, AND AN EARPHONE FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD

A method of limiting the maximum permitted sound volume in an earphone, a headset or the like, includes the step that the size of the driving signal for driving the earphone is sensed. The driving signal has a voltage that is less than approx. 0.7 V. If the driving signal exceeds a certain level, a part of the driving signal is shunted past the earphone. A second part of the driving signal is diverted. Either the voltage of the diverted part is increased and controls the shunt device by which the first part of the driving signal is shunted past the earphone, or it is supplied to a unit with a detector device and the shunt device. The unit is sensitive to work at voltages below approx. 0.7 V. An earphone or the like for the above-mentioned method comprises a shunt device and a detector device whose current source is the signal source of the earphone.