A
World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have introduced the first global standard for safe listening in video games and esports.
  
ITU, the United Nation’s arm in charge of global communications, disclosed this yesterday when highlighting efforts to reduce the risk of hearing loss among gamers globally.
  
According to WHO, gamers face the risk of permanent hearing loss due to excessive noise levels in gameplay environments, especially when using headphones or high-volume speakers.
   
The Director of the Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau at ITU, Seizo Onoe, highlighted the need for collaboration in setting effective technical standards.
  
“As video gaming and esports continue to grow and gamers use a wider array of devices to access their content, safe listening standards are vital to help protect the hearing of users, especially children, from sounds, which could damage their hearing. Creating effective technical standards requires collaboration, which leverages each other’s strengths,” Onoe stated.

We are grateful to our partners at WHO for their insight and experience advancing safe listening, and are pleased to launch this update on World Hearing Day,” Onoe stated.
  
WHO Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage, Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases, Dr Jérôme Salomon, emphasised the importance of proactive hearing protection.
  
The standard was developed under WHO’s Make Listening Safe initiative, which focuses on improving listening practices, particularly among young people. The initiative leverages expertise from WHO, ITU, government agencies, industry leaders, and consumer advocacy groups.