Who, ITU, Safe hearing standard for video games, publish eSports

Video gameplay and eSports quickly become one of the largest entertainment industries worldwide. Around 3 billion people play video games on devices such as PCs, video game consoles and mobile phones, and most devices and play are missing safe functions for the hearing function to protect users from harmful noise. However, gamers risk a permanent hearing loss due to longer exposure to loud noises when playing or listening to music. Because of their lower sound tolerance and growing interest in games, children are particularly vulnerable.

By providing information, warnings and secure hearing functions, the new standard aims to inform video players about the risk of hearing loss through loud video game activities and to raise awareness of how to listen to a safe listening.

“Since video games and eSports continue to grow and players use a wider range of devices to access their content, safe listening standards are crucial to protect the hearing of users, especially children, from sounds that could damage their hearing,” says Seizo Onoe, Director, Telecommunication Bureau, International Telecommunication Union. “Effective technical standards requires cooperation that uses the strengths of the other. We are grateful to our partners who will be promoted for their insights and experiences with the safe listening, and we look forward to starting this update to the World Corporation Day. ”

Standards protect hearing for all types of video game players

The WHO-LITE GLOBAL standard for safe listening to video gameplay and eSports is designed in such a way that you protect the hearing for all types of video game players in a variety of gameplay scenarios and devices. The standard contains separate guidelines for video gameplay devices (video game consoles, handheld or mobile devices as well as PCs, headphones and headsets) as well as video game software.

For video gameplay devices, the standard recommends:

• The pursuit of the sound authorities to measure the sound exposure of the player.
• Safe listening reports that provide the players information about the sound use, including predictions, about when their sound limit is achieved.
• A user -friendly volume control system that can be easily set.
• A “headphone safety mode” that automatically adjusts the volume when a player changes between headphones and speakers.

For video gameplay software -the standard recommends the standard:

• Safe hearing warnings and messages for players about the risk of hearing loss due to loud noises and a longer exposure during game activities.
• Independent volume controls for various sound categories, so that the players adjust levels and different sounds within the game.
• Adaptation of the soundtrack, genres and sound designs of each game with safe hearing functions.
• A “headphone safety mode” within the software, with which an audio output between headphones and speakers can be recorded and the volume can be automatically reduced.

The new standard was developed under Who's Make Hör Safe Initiative, with which the hearing practices are to be improved, especially in young people. This is based on the latest evidence and consultations with a number of stakeholders, including experts from WHO, government, consumers, consumers and civil society.

In addition to the new global standard, two other standards for safe listening were introduced in 2019 and 2022, including the H.870 WHO-LIST GLOBAL Standard for Safe Hear personal audio devices and systems as well as the WHO-global standard for safe listening stages at event locations and events (also adopted by ITU in 2024).

Find out more about the 2025 World Horged Day and the “Make listening” initiative:

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