The problem of loud commercials is not new.  It has bothered consumers and endangered their hearing for decades.  Although loud commercials have been at the top of consumer complaints to the FCC for decades, current official FCC policy recommends that consumers “mute” commercials if they find them excessively strident. 

Rep. Eshoo introduced the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act (CALM Act) to remedy the problem of loud television commercials.  The CALM Act was signed into law by President Obama on December 15, 2010. 

Under the law, the rules will become effective on December 13, 2012, 1 year after the the FCC adopted its final rules for implementing the CALM Act. Additional information on what the CALM Act requires the FCC to do and what can be done about loud commericals until the rules take effect can be found on the FCC's website.