The Canadian Radio-television Commission has launched a public consultation on the loudness of TV commercials.

"Loud ads on television can disrupt an otherwise enjoyable program and are a source of significant annoyance for Canadians," CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein said in a news release.

Finckenstein said the CRTC will work with the broadcasting industry to find an acceptable solution.

With a full switch to digital television on the horizon, the regulator is looking for ways to force broadcasters to adhere to a standard of loudness for their signals.

The Advanced Television Systems Committee, an international non-profit group trying to set standards for digital broadcasting, has made recommendations on loudness levels for digital TV.

The CRTC is seeking the public's input on the issue, saying it is looking for a way to effectively control the volume of commercials by cable and satellite providers and broadcasters.

The U.S. has already taken a position on this. Last December, Congress passed the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act, which will require lower volumes for commercials that are usually louder, the New York Times reported.

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Related P.O.V.: TV commercial volume: Does it need regulation?