The World Health Organization is calling on streaming platforms, device manufacturers, and event organizers to adopt global safe listening standards to mitigate hearing loss. The initiative promotes the implementation of ITU-T standards for safe listening in personal devices and video gameplay.
Adopting these standards signals a shift toward mandatory health-centric design in consumer audio hardware and streaming software. For the streaming ecosystem, this likely precedes stricter regulatory oversight regarding default volume settings and user exposure notifications, similar to existing smartphone battery health metrics. As the International Telecommunication Union and WHO align on these technical benchmarks, platforms may face pressure to integrate sound-level monitoring directly into their playback engines. Watch for the next round of WHO commitment submissions to see which major streaming services or gaming hardware manufacturers formalize their compliance with the ITU-T H.870 framework.
This push for standardized audio safety follows broader legislative efforts to regulate platform design and algorithms to protect user well-being.
The World Health Organization is urging streaming platforms and device manufacturers to adopt ITU-T H.870 and H.872 standards to combat rising hearing loss. With 20% of the global population currently affected, this initiative aims to protect over 1 billion young people by integrating volume-limiting features and sound-level monitoring into consumer technology.
The WHO is targeting streaming platforms and device manufacturers to address auditory health risks for over 1 billion young people exposed to harmful sound levels through personal audio and video gameplay.
These are technical benchmarks for personal audio devices and video gameplay software designed to promote safe listening and reduce the risk of hearing loss.
Hearing loss currently affects 20% of the global population, with projections suggesting this figure could reach 25% by 2056.
The WHO encourages platforms to integrate safe listening features into user interfaces, include product onboarding safety information, and support national legislation for standardized volume-limiting features.
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