1. A vehicle audio system, comprising: an input for receiving audio speech signals; a user-adjustable volume selector; and a speaker, said audio system playing said audio speech signals via said speaker at a volume that is adjustable via the volume selector between a minimum volume setting and a maximum volume setting; wherein, at the beginning of a speech session, said audio system plays said audio speech signals at an initial speech session volume that is within a range bounded by at least one initial volume setting that is between said minimum and maximum volume settings, and wherein said audio system adjusts said initial volume setting following one or more speech sessions in which the volume is manually adjusted via the volume selector to a user-selected volume that is past the initial volume setting and out of the range.