WHO-ITU Launches New Global Standard to Prevent Hearing Loss for Video Gamers and eSports

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) released on May 20 a new global standard to address the rising risk of hearing damage from video games and esports. Titled Global Standard for Safe Listening, Video Gameplay and Esports, the initiative targets the more than 3 billion people worldwide who engage with video games—many of whom are regularly exposed to potentially harmful sound levels.

Concerns have been growing about the impact of loud recreational sound exposure, particularly among young people. Research shows that 24% of young adults are at risk from unsafe listening habits, and video gamers are more than twice as likely to show high-frequency hearing loss compared to non-gamers. Children, who now engage in gaming from earlier ages, are especially vulnerable due to their lower tolerance for loud sounds. Despite these risks, gamers often underestimate the potential harm, and until now, there has been no specific standard for hearing safety in gaming hardware or software.