The Make Listening Safe initiative: a global response to hearing loss

The problem

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over one billion young people face the risk of irreversible hearing loss due to the common practice of listening to sounds at high volumes, especially in leisure pastimes such as listening to music or other sounds through headphones, at concerts or music venues, and during video gameplay (Dillard, et al., 2022).

The risk

An average exposure to sound levels above 80dBA for 40 hours a week can cause irreversible damage to our ears and hearing. The permissible safe time limit reduces as the volume goes up and one can only listen safely to 90dBA sounds for approximately 4 hours a week, a duration that reduces to approximately 20 minutes if average sound exposure climbs to 100dBA.

Many are exceeding these limits, especially with the widespread use of smartphones, headphones, earbuds and video gameplay headsets, increasing their risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and tinnitus – conditions that are permanent but preventable.

Graphic: WHO Make Listening Safe

WHO estimates that over a quarter of those listening to headphones exceed these levels; and children who actively participate in video gameplay activities are twice as likely to have high-frequency hearing loss compared to non-players (Dillard, et al., 2024). Similarly, among those frequenting music venues, over 50 per cent commonly exceed their permissible sound exposure levels, putting their hearing at risk.

Low awareness of the importance of hearing health, lack of safe listening information, along with poorly designed and calibrated sound systems, and limited access to hearing protection, contribute to this risk.

Why it matters

Hearing loss and tinnitus can have severe and lasting effects on quality of life. Impaired hearing impacts communication, mental wellbeing and professional opportunities. Given the preventability of hearing loss caused by excessive sound exposure, proactive steps must be taken to mitigate these risks. Addressing this issue ensures individuals can continue to enjoy music, video gameplay and social events without jeopardising their hearing health.

Photograph: iStock/zilli

WHO’s steps to tackle the problem

Recognising the urgent need for action, WHO launched the Make Listening Safe initiative in 2015. This initiative takes a dual approach, focusing on:

1. Raising awareness through education and advocacy on safe listening habits
2. Developing global standards to guide industries, governments and the public in implementing safe listening practices.

WHO’s safe listening standards

To protect hearing in different contexts, WHO has introduced three key standards:

• Safe listening devices and systems: a WHO-ITU standard (WHO, 2019): provides guidelines for manufacturers of personal audio devices and headphones to include safe listening features such as volume limiting and sound exposure tracking.
• The Global standard for safe listening venues and events (WHO, 2022): sets limits on sound levels at concerts and nightclubs, ensuring protection for both performers and audiences.
• The Global standard for safe listening video gameplay and esports (a joint WHO-ITU standard) (WHO, 2025): establishes recommendations for game developers and hardware manufacturers to incorporate features that reduce hearing risk in video gameplay environments.

These standards provide practical solutions to ensure that music, entertainment and video gameplay can be enjoyed safely without compromising the immersive experience they offer, while promoting safe listening and hearing loss prevention.

At the core of each standard are:

1. A scientific foundation – understanding hearing risks and developing evidence-based, implementable solutions
2. Key features for risk reduction – a combination of mandatory and optional features designed to inform users about the dangers of high sound levels and provide effective ways to minimise exposure
3. Guidance on communication – strategies for effectively conveying safe listening information to the target audiences of these standards.

How organisations can support these efforts

Effective implementation of these standards requires collaboration across multiple sectors, and governments, manufacturers and civil society each have a role to play.

Governments

• Implement and enforce regulations ensuring venues and manufacturers comply with safe listening standards
• Support consumer protection policies that mandate safe listening features in audio devices
• Launch public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on hearing loss prevention.

Manufacturers (personal audio and video game devices, headphones, mobile and computer companies)

• Integrate safe listening features such as dosimetry, volume limits and automatic sound adjustments in personal audio devices and video gameplay devices
• Adopt WHO standards in product design to ensure safer long-term listening experiences
• Provide clear, user-friendly guidance on safe listening practices with their devices.

Concert venues and nightclubs

• Implement sound level limits, sound level monitoring and optimal sound system design to ensure limits align with WHO recommendations
• Offer hearing protection options such as earplugs for attendees
• Designate quiet zones where visitors can take breaks from high sound levels
• Provide the necessary training and education to professionals working at venues and live music events.

Civil society and advocacy groups

• Raise awareness on hearing health education and safe listening habits
• Encourage policy change by advocating for adoption of WHO standards
• Provide support for affected individuals, including guidance on managing hearing loss and tinnitus.

A call to action

By implementing these measures, we can create safer listening environments and prevent hearing damage on a large scale. The Make Listening Safe initiative serves as a framework for change, but success also depends on the commitment of device manufacturers, governments, industry leaders and the public.

What you can do:

• Governments and policymakers: integrate WHO standards into national regulations
• Device manufacturers: develop and promote devices with built-in safe listening features
• Concert and venue operators: adopt sound level monitoring and offer hearing protection options
• Individuals: enable safe listening settings, take breaks and use ear protection at loud events.

Together, we can ensure that people across the world can continue to enjoy music, entertainment and social gatherings without putting their hearing at risk.

Peter Mulas is a consultant at the World Health Organization (WHO) and Dr Shelly Chadha is technical lead (hearing) at WHO Programme for Ear and Hearing Care.

Want to learn more? See the Make Listening Safe information resources:

WHO’s Make Listening Safe website

Media briefing on #safelistening

Join the Make Listening Safe LinkedIn workgroup here

If you’re part of an organisation, consider joining the World Hearing Forum’s

Make Listening Safe workstream:

Find out more here

Sign up for the World Hearing Forum mailing list to get regular updates and information:

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References

Dillard, L. K. et al., 2022. Prevalence and global estimates of unsafe listening practices in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Global Health, 7(11).

Dillard, L. K. et al., 2024. Risk of sound-induced hearing loss from exposure to video gaming or esports: a systematic scoping review. BMJ Public Health, 2(1).

WHO, 2019. Safe listening devices and systems: a WHO-ITU standard, Geneva: World Health Organization & International Telecommunication Union.

WHO, 2021. World report on hearing, Geneva: World Health Organization.

WHO, 2022. Global standard for safe listening venues and events, Geneva: World Health Organization.

WHO, 2025. Safe listening for video gameplay & esports: a WHO-ITU standard, Geneva: World Health Organization & International Telecommunication Union.