Media release
Over 1 billion young people may be at risk of avoidable, permanent hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to loud sounds during recreational activities such as video gaming and listening to music – a challenge highlighted this World Hearing Day (3 March) [1,2].
That’s why Audiology Australia is supporting global efforts led by the World Health Organization (WHO) by sharing a new resource into how government, regulators and video game manufacturers can promote safer listening practices, as well as launching a new campaign to raise awareness among gamers.
The resource WHO-ITU Global standard for safe listening in video game play and sports released on World Hearing Day provides recommendations including video games having on-screen safe listening warnings and messages, and a “headphone safety mode” that reduces volume by at least 3 dB when switching from speakers to headphones.
Meanwhile, Audiology Australia’s new campaign “Min-max your hearing” co-opts popular video and tabletop roleplaying terminology to encourage gamers to maximise self-care for their ears and hearing.
Audiology Australia Board Member Dr Emma Laird says that while it is necessary to highlight the consequences of prolonged loud noise exposure, it is important to also raise awareness of hearing care without berating gamers.
“When you are stuck in a video game, whether a mobile game, or on the computer or a video game console, your hearing health might be the last thing on your mind. But we want to remind gamers that looking after your hearing will help you enjoy your favourite sounds for longer,” Dr Laird says.
Audiology Australia’s campaign is centred around encouraging gamers to follow three key actions:
- Minimise volume spikes: Keep your maximum volume at the minimum you need to hear clearly.
- Minimise noises during breaks: Maximise your ear recovery by reducing exposure to loud sounds while taking a break.
- Minimise sound leakage: Replace your worn-out ear cushions to maximise your audio experience.
The suggested actions from the campaign are clearly important, with audiologists from around Australia reporting that children as young as 12 years old are presenting to audiology clinics with Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) from playing video games.
If you need help with noise management or believe you are at risk of hearing loss, Dr Laird recommends immediately seeing an Audiology Australia accredited audiologist.
“An audiologist can work with you to reduce any risk of avoidable hearing loss, and to create a treatment and management plan if and when hearing loss does occur,” says Dr Laird.
Links
For more resources this World Hearing Day, please visit https://audiology.asn.au/world-hearing-day/.
Use the Find an Audiologist search tool here: https://audiology.asn.au/find-an-audiologist/.
Available for Interview
Dr Emma Laird, Audiology Australia Board Member and hobby gamer
Media Contact
Daniel Jauk
Marketing and Communications Lead
E: communications@audiology.asn.au
References
[1] World Health Organization. “Deafness and hearing loss”. 2 February 2024. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss
[2] World Health Organization. “1.1 billion people at risk of hearing loss”. 10 March 2015. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/vietnam/news/detail/10-03-2015-1.1-billion-people-at-risk-of-hearing-loss