Safe Listening Levels

How WHO and occupational guidance describe safe sound exposure

Overview

Safe listening refers to listening habits and environments that limit the risk of noise induced hearing loss. Both occupational standards and WHO guidance relate permissible exposure to two factors together, the sound level and the duration of exposure, so that louder sound is associated with shorter acceptable listening times and risk accumulates over a lifetime. Because the decibel scale is logarithmic, relatively small increases in level represent large increases in sound energy. WHO launched its Make Listening Safe initiative in 2015, and in 2019 WHO and the International Telecommunication Union published a global standard for safe listening devices that recommends features such as tracking sound exposure on personal audio players and providing warnings and volume limiting options. A 2022 WHO standard addresses sound levels at venues and events. Everyday sources such as hair dryers, motorcycles, and power tools, and especially concerts, clubs, and fireworks, can reach levels of concern. Sound level meter apps can give approximate readings of environmental noise.