The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have introduced a global standard to help prevent hearing loss among gamers and esports players.
It outlines safety features for gaming hardware—like sound exposure monitoring, volume alerts, and automatic adjustments when switching audio devices. These are especially important for younger users, who are more vulnerable to hearing damage.
Game developers are also encouraged to build in safe listening tools, such as customizable volume settings, adaptive sound design, and warning prompts. With gamers facing more than double the risk of high-frequency hearing loss, this new standard aims to protect hearing without compromising the gaming experience.