Safe listening devices: launch of global standards by WHO and ITU

Nearly 50% of people aged 12-35 years – or 1.1 billion young people – are at risk of hearing loss due to prolonged and excessive exposure to loud sounds, including music they listen to through personal audio devices. Ahead of World Hearing Day (3 March), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have issued a new international standard for the manufacture and use of these devices, which include smartphones and audio players, to make them safer for listening.

The launch of these standards was held at WHO headquarters with Ricky Kej, Grammy Award Winner, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's Director-General, and Malcolm Johnson, Deputy Secretary-General of ITU.

More information:
https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/...