Ahead of World Hearing Day 2025, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) are introducing the first-ever global standard for safe listening in video gaming and esports.
The initiative aims to curb the rising risk of hearing loss among the world’s three billion gamers, many of whom play without safeguards against harmful noise exposure.
In a statement issued by the WHO on Friday, WHO Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage, Dr. Jérôme Salomon said, “Everyone can take steps today to ensure good hearing health throughout their life,” Salomon stated. “The WHO/ITU safe listening standard supports governments, manufacturers, and stakeholders in fostering safe listening environments, so people of all ages can protect their hearing—even when gaming.”
Unlike personal audio devices, which have existing safety guidelines, gaming consoles, mobile devices, and video game software have lacked specific standards—until now.
The new WHO-ITU global standard recommends sound allowance tracking, real-time safe listening alerts, independent volume controls, and a “headphone safety mode” that adjusts volume when switching between audio outputs.
“As gaming and esports expand, safe listening standards are essential to prevent irreversible damage,” said the of Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, Seizo Onoe. “We are pleased to collaborate with WHO to help gamers, especially children, safeguard their hearing.”
The initiative builds on WHO’s Make Listening Safe campaign, which previously introduced global standards for personal audio devices and live events.
