The software is being made available as a free download from Apple’s website and will also give parents the ability to set a maximum volume limit on their child’s iPod and lock it with a combination code.

The company has said that the limit feature will work with any headphone or accessory plugged into the iPod headphone jack as well as the iPod Radio Remote.

As the leading provider of digital music players, Apple continuously brings iPod customers innovative and easy to use solutions, said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing.

With the increased attention in this area, we want to offer customers an easy to use option to set their own personal volume limit.