A method and apparatus for adaptively controlling the audio output (122) of a communication device (114) according to the noise characteristics of the receiver listening environment (119). An output volume for the communication device (114) is set by a user (e.g., listener 118). The communication device (114) can intermittently sample ambient noise (116) of its environment (119). A minimum signal to noise threshold can be established for audio output (122). A total adjustment for the audio output (122) is established based on the ambient noise (116), the user set output volume, and the minimum signal to noise threshold. The total adjustment is a product of a software volume adjustment (230) and a hardware gain adjustment (240). The software volume adjustment (230) and the hardware gain adjustment (240) is adaptively applied when the communication device (114) outputs audio (122).