Tinnitus and co.

WHO warns of hearing damage caused by video games

Young people are at risk of hearing damage if they play video games too often and too loudly. The WHO is drawing attention to this on the occasion of World Hearing Day on March 3. Studies have shown that young people who play video games are twice as likely to lose hearing in the high-frequency range as young people who do not play.

Gamers also have a significantly higher risk of developing tinnitus, reported the World Health Organization, which has therefore introduced a new standard for video games and the devices on which they are played. A systematic investigation of numerous studies has shown that more than one billion young adults worldwide are at risk of suffering hearing damage due to unhealthy headphone use.

The WHO now recommends that manufacturers warn users individually of risks above a certain volume. In addition, headphones should have safety systems to mute sounds that are too loud. Volume levels should be as user-friendly as possible. Players should also be able to turn down certain individual sounds within the game.

Game manufacturers should ensure that noises that can trigger tinnitus are avoided. The WHO appealed to manufacturers of games and devices as well as governments to implement the new standards.