On World Hearing Day 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) unveiled the first global standard for safe listening in video gameplay and esports to prevent hearing loss among gamers.
Previously, no official safe listening guidelines existed for video game devices or software, leaving millions of gamers at risk of hearing damage. The new standard provides practical recommendations for both gaming hardware and software, ensuring players, especially children, can protect their hearing.
Why Safe Listening Matters in Gaming
With an estimated 3 billion people worldwide playing video games on various devices, such as PCs, consoles, and mobile phones, prolonged exposure to loud in-game sounds poses a significant risk of permanent hearing loss. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their lower tolerance for noise.
Dr. Jérôme Salomon, WHO’s Assistant Director-General, emphasized the importance of fostering safe listening environments to ensure lifelong hearing health. Meanwhile, Seizo Onoe, ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau Director, highlighted the need for technical standards to protect users from excessive noise exposure.
Key Features of the Safe Listening Standard
The new standard introduces guidelines for both gaming devices and software:
For Gaming Devices (Consoles, PCs, Mobile Devices, and Headsets):
- Sound Allowance Tracking – Monitors a player’s sound exposure.
- Safe Listening Notifications – Alerts players when they approach unsafe noise levels.
- User-Friendly Volume Controls – Makes adjusting sound levels easier.
- Headphone Safety Mode – Automatically adjusts volume when switching between speakers and headphones.
For Video Game Software:
- Hearing Loss Warnings – Alerts about potential risks from prolonged exposure to loud sounds.
- Independent Volume Controls – Allows players to adjust specific sound elements within a game.
- Adaptive Sound Design – Encourages safe listening practices in game soundtracks and effects.
- Headphone Safety Mode – Automatically reduces volume when switching between audio outputs.
WHO’s Make Listening Safe Initiative
This initiative aligns with WHO’s Make Listening Safe campaign, which has previously developed global safe listening standards for:
- Personal audio devices and systems (2019)
- Venues and events (2022, later adopted by ITU in 2024)
By integrating these safety features into gaming technology, WHO and ITU aim to promote healthier listening habits and reduce the long-term risks of hearing loss in a rapidly growing gaming industry.
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