Hearing Test
Highest frequency you can hear
Sweep between two frequencies
Put on headphones and set the volume low. You'll hear high-pitched tones, getting higher. Press I hear it while you can, and I can't hear it when it goes silent for you.
| Highest tone you can hear | Usually heard by |
|---|---|
| 8,000 Hz | Almost everyone |
| 12,000 Hz | Most people under 50 |
| 15,000 Hz | Most people under 40 |
| 16,000 Hz | Most people under 30 |
| 17,000 Hz | Most people under 25 |
| 18,000 Hz | Most people under 20 |
| 19,000 Hz+ | Some teenagers and children |
A fun check, not a medical hearing test: cheap speakers and some headphones can't play the highest tones at all. If you notice hearing loss, ringing or muffled sound, see a doctor or audiologist.
Start quiet and turn up slowly. Very high and very low tones can be loud before you notice them, and long exposure to loud tones can damage hearing.
About Hearing Test
Our hearing of high notes fades gradually with age, starting in our twenties. Put on headphones, set a low volume and press Start: tones play from 8,000 Hz upwards and you say when they go silent. The result is the highest frequency you can hear, with the age group that usually hears it.
- Put on headphones and set the volume low.
- Press Start hearing test.
- Press I hear it while you can hear the tone, and I can't hear it when it's gone.
Frequently asked
What frequencies can people hear?
Children can hear up to about 20,000 Hz. Most adults lose the very top over time: many people in their 30s stop at around 16,000 Hz and in their 50s at around 12,000 Hz.
Why can't I hear the highest tones?
Usually it's normal age-related change, but it can also be your speakers or headphones: many can't play above 16–18 kHz. Try different headphones before drawing conclusions.
Is this a medical hearing test?
No. A proper hearing test (audiogram) also checks low and middle frequencies and quiet sounds in each ear. See an audiologist if you notice hearing loss or ringing.
Is what I type sent to a server?
No. The tool runs entirely in your browser and there's no server behind it, so what you type never leaves your device and nothing is stored. You can check: it keeps working if you go offline after the page has loaded.
More from the Music drawer
Other tools kept in this drawer, plus a few favourites from the bench.