EarGuard
A calmer way to plug in and press play.
Fellas with sensitive earphones and dongle DACs, I made EarGuard for us. One sudden blast can feel like a shotgun in your ear. After that, even pressing play can make you brace for it. EarGuard lets you set a ceiling for each Windows device and a lower volume for reconnects and wake-ups, so listening can feel ordinary again.
WINDOWS 10 / 11 · FREE & OPEN SOURCE · v1.1.3
Try your volume limit
Choose a limit, then try an unexpected volume change. This is a quiet demonstration; it plays no audio and does not control your device. Its timing is illustrative.
EarGuard responds when the Windows volume setting rises above this limit.
A lower setting for the first three seconds after reconnecting a device or waking your PC.
Ready to try. Your example limit is 25%.
In real use, a brief spike can get through before EarGuard responds. Windows percentages do not measure listening loudness, and support depends on your device and driver.
What happens when volume changes
Windows volume changes
A reconnect, wake-up, or another app can leave your output volume higher than you expected.
EarGuard checks your limit
It watches the devices you have chosen to protect while it runs in the tray.
A lower setting is requested
If the current setting is above your limit, EarGuard asks Windows to turn it down.
A quiet notice can appear
An optional notification tells you which device changed, without playing a sound.
EarGuard reacts after a volume change; it cannot stop every spike before playback. It adjusts the Windows output setting, which is different from limiting the sound itself.
Keeps quieter settings alone
EarGuard requests a lower volume only when the setting it reads is above your limit. If you raise the limit, it leaves a quieter setting alone. Another app can still change volume at the same time.
A lower limit on reconnect
For the first three seconds after a device reconnects or your PC wakes, EarGuard applies your plug-in limit (5% by default). It responds again if Windows restores a higher setting during that window. Playback is not blocked while it reacts.
Silent, optional notices
If EarGuard lowers the setting, an optional tray notice names the device and shows what changed. The notice makes no sound, so you can leave alerts on without adding another interruption.
EarGuard (MIT License)
Download one portable Windows app, choose a limit for each device, and optionally start it with Windows. No installer is needed.
Help keep EarGuard maintained
EarGuard is free and open source. If it has become part of your listening setup, a coffee helps support maintenance and future updates.