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.

Importantly, the new standard is designed to promote hearing health without compromising the immersive aspects of video gameplay. WHO emphasizes that safe listening can—and should—coexist with the enjoyment, collaboration, and creativity that gaming provides. Players will still be able to experience rich soundscapes and dynamic effects, but with added tools to monitor and manage their sound exposure. The goal is not to limit the experience but to empower users to enjoy it safely.

The standard was developed through a collaborative and evidence-based process. WHO and ITU conducted a systematic review of the scientific literature, surveyed international gamers to understand user behaviors and perceptions, and held expert and stakeholder meetings involving professionals from audiology, technology, and game development. Insights from users, developers, and hearing experts helped shape a set of features designed to be effective, practical, and user-friendly. (Full Technical Standard: ITU-T H.872 Document.)

Below is a condensed summary of the new standard, but HearingTracker recommends downloading and reading the standard in its entirety.

What the WHO-ITU Standard Covers

The new WHO–ITU standard outlines a comprehensive set of voluntary features designed for:

• Video gameplay devices: consoles, handhelds, PCs, and mobile devices, along with peripherals like headphones.
• Video game software: titles played in both home and competitive esports settings.

The standard is structured around three main goals:

1. Inform gamers about their sound exposure.
2. Warn users when sound levels exceed safe thresholds.
3. Enable safe listening through built-in features—without compromising the immersive gaming experience.

What’s Included Safe Listening Features

The standard provides both general and separate recommendations for gaming devices and video game software, including:

For eGaming Devices

1. Sound Exposure Tracking (Dosimetry)
   Devices should measure and track users’ exposure to sound and provide feedback on safe listening thresholds.
2. Safe Listening Notifications
   Timely messages should alert players about excessive sound levels or prolonged listening durations.
3. Volume Controls & Parental Controls
   Devices must offer intuitive volume settings, including limiters and parental controls for children’s use.
4. Headphone Safety Mode
   If a device shares output between speakers and headphones, it must automatically reduce volume when headphones are connected.

For Video Game Software

1. Auditory Risk Warnings
   Games must include built-in messages that educate users about the risks of loud sounds.
2. Master and Sound Category Controls
   Players should be able to adjust volume separately for game effects, music, voice chat, and other audio elements.
3. Game-Specific Safety Features
   Developers are encouraged to include tailored tools, such as dynamic range setups, tinnitus masking, or ambient sound reduction.
4. Software-Based Headphone Safety Mode
   If a volume-reducing feature isn’t available on the hardware, the software must lower volume by at least 3 dB when headphones are detected.

For Both

• All devices and games must include safe listening guidelines and explanations of any protective features in user manuals, websites, or digital help sections.

How the Standard Can Be Used

The standard is voluntary, but WHO encourages widespread adoption across multiple sectors. Manufacturers and developers are encouraged to incorporate the recommended safe listening features into their products, providing users with safer audio experiences. Governments can play a role by incorporating the guidelines into public health policies or formal legislation to help protect their populations from sound-induced hearing loss. Additionally, consumer advocacy groups are encouraged to push for the inclusion of these safety features in both new and existing gaming devices and software.

What’s Next?

As gaming continues to grow in popularity and sophistication, integrating safe listening features will be key to preventing what WHO describes as an “epidemic of avoidable hearing loss.” This new global standard lays the foundation for a healthier future where gamers of all ages can fully enjoy immersive soundscapes—without damaging their ears.