WHO’s Int’l Standards For Listening Devices

According to the World Health Organization, nearly half of all young people are at risk of hearing loss due to prolonged and excessive exposure to loud noises.

A Look At The WHO’s Latest Safe Listening Standard

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly half of all young people between the ages of 12 and 35 are at risk of hearing loss due to prolonged and excessive exposure to loud noises, notably by listening to music on personal audio devices. In an effort to lower this statistic, the WHO and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) issued a new international standard for the manufacture and use of these devices earlier this year. This will make audio devices safer for listening. Here’s an overview.

What Is Safe Listening?

The WHO defines safe listening as listening behaviour that doesn’t put an individual’s hearing at risk. Factors such as the volume, duration and frequency of exposure to a sound can increase the risk of hearing loss. The recommended safe level of noise exposure, referred to as sound allowance, is below 80 decibels for a maximum of 40 hours per week.

Device Features

The new international standard issued by the WHO and the ITU recommends that personal audio devices include three features to help improve listening practices, particularly among young people. Devices that comply with the WHO-ITU standard would:

●      Measure use of sound allowance

Listening to sound at a lower volume over a long period of time can have the same impact on hearing as listening to sound at a higher volume for a short period of time. Sound allowance refers to the maximum safe level of sound exposure, measured in both volume and duration. Therefore, the device should track the listener’s exposure time and the sound volume.

●      Include volume control options

The device should provide the listener with a simple method to limit volume while using the device, including a feature that alerts the listener if they approach their weekly sound allowance. Additionally, the device should include a parental control option that requires a password to change the device’s maximum sound output.

●      Provide personal usage information

The device interface and instruction manual should provide the user with general information about safe listening practices and instructions on how to monitor their own listening habits. This would include information about how to use the specific device’s safe listening features.

Consult Alberta’s Hearing Experts

If you need hearing aids, a hearing test or advice for how to prevent hearing loss, visit a Soundwave Hearing Care clinic near you. We offer a range of services including pediatric hearing care for children of all ages. For more information or to schedule a consultation with an audiologist, contact us today. We have clinics in Calgary, Grande Prairie, High River and Lethbridge to best serve our Alberta patients.