WHO is encouraging governments to develop and enforce legislation for safe listening and raise awareness of the risks of hearing loss. The private sector should include WHO’s recommendations for safe listening features in their products, venues, and events. To motivate behavioural change, civil society organisations, parents, teachers and physicians can educate young people to practice safe listening habits.Mumbli will enable venues to adhere to these new safety standards. In 2021, WHO launched the World Report on Hearing to address the increasing number of people living with, and at risk of, hearing loss. It highlighted noise control as one of the seven key H.E.A.R.I.N.G. interventions and stressed the importance of mitigating exposure to loud sounds.What is safe listening? Safe listening simply refers to a habitual practice of enjoying music while lowering the risk of irreversible hearing damage. To spread safe listening, WHO released the global standard for safe listening in venues and events.Safe listening can prevent hearing reduction and ultimately hearing loss!
As a response to the growing concern about hearing loss caused by loud sounds, WHO has developed a set of evidence-based recommendations to reduce the risk of hearing loss in people visiting entertainment venues and events.The standard consists of 6 features and they apply to venues such as bars, nightclubs, concerts and festivals.
A maximum limit of 100dB LAeq 15 minutes* should be imposed, keeping sound safe and enjoyable for audiences.
Designated staff members should monitor and record live sound levels using calibrated measurement equipment.
The sound system and venue acoustics should be optimised to ensure enjoyable sound quality and safe listening levels for all.
Hearing protection such as earplugs should be available to audience members, with instructions.
Quiet zones should be made available to audiences, allowing them the opportunity to rest their ears and decrease the risk of hearing damage.
Staff and audience members should be informed about practical steps they can take to ensure safe listening.
can develop legislation or regulations which are then promoted alongside safe listening awareness campaigns, and monitored for compliance.
can adopt the standard and implement its features on a voluntary basis. Mumbli can make this possible for businesses to achieve.
can include a safe listening module focusing on the standard’s needs, rationale, benefits, and features.
Related News: World's first hearing wellness district
Hearing loss is a growing global public health issue. Its prevention will help reduce the need for hearing care, improve quality of life and increase productivity.
Respecting clients’ hearing health and improving their listening experience makes good financial sense for an industry that relies on their capacity to hear.
It will reduce the danger of hearing damage in both the audiences and those working at such venues and events.
Civil society can play a pivotal role in raising awareness of the safe listening standard and advocating for its implementation among governments, owners/ managers of venues and events, and the staff working at such venues and events
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