New WHO-ITU Guidelines Aim to Reduce NIHL among the Young

New WHO-ITU Guidelines Aim to Reduce NIHL among the Young:

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have issued a new international standard for the manufacture and use of devices like smartphones and audio players to make them safer for young people to listen. The Safe listening devices and systems: a WHO-ITU standard recommends that personal audio devices include a sound allowance function, which tracks the level and duration of the user's exposure to sound as a percentage used of a reference exposure; a personal sound profile that informs the user of how safely he or she has been listening and gives cues for action based on his or her listening practices; and volume limiting options such as automatic volume reduction and parental volume control. The two organizations also suggest that information and guidance to users on safe listening practices, both through personal audio devices and for other leisure activities, be included.

The voluntary standard was developed under WHO's Make Listening Safe initiative and by experts from the WHO and ITU over a two-year process drawing on the latest evidence and consultations with a range of stakeholders, including experts from government, industry, consumers, and the general public. Along with the release of the guidelines, the WHO and ITU have also released a toolkit to help those promoting hearing care advocate for the standard and raise public awareness of the importance of safe listening. It can be accessed at http://bit.ly/2tnuIYZ. 

Published: 2/15/2019 2:14:00 PM