Our ability to hear high-pitched sounds fades naturally with age and with loud noise. Play pure tones one at a time, from deep 125 Hz up to 20,000 Hz (20 kHz), in both ears or one ear at a time, and press whether you hear each tone. The result shows the highest tone you heard and a rough guide to what is typical for different ages.
loading toolHow to take the hearing frequency test
- Put on headphones and sit in a quiet room.
- Set the volume low, choose Both ears, Left or Right, and press Play tone.
- Press “I hear it” or “I can’t hear it”; the next tone is higher.
- Read the highest tone you heard for each ear, then compare ears.
Good to know
- A big difference between your left and right ear is worth mentioning to a doctor.
- If you hear ringing (tinnitus) after loud events, give your ears a rest and protect them next time with ear plugs.
Questions
Is this a proper hearing test?
This is a free screening aid, not a medical test. Screens, speakers, lighting and distance all affect the result, so it cannot diagnose anything. If you notice a change in your eyesight or hearing, see a qualified optometrist, audiologist or doctor. A real hearing test (audiogram) uses calibrated equipment in a quiet booth and measures how quiet a sound you can hear at each pitch.
Why can I not hear the highest tones?
Almost everyone loses the very top frequencies as they get older; most adults cannot hear 18–20 kHz. Also, many phone speakers and cheap earphones cannot play tones above about 15–16 kHz at all, so use good headphones.
Can the test damage my ears?
Not if you keep the volume low. Start quiet and raise it slowly; very high tones can seem silent and then suddenly become loud. Never play tones at high volume, especially with earphones.
Is my data private?
Yes. Everything happens inside your own browser: nothing you type or choose is uploaded to us or anyone else.
Is it free?
Completely free, with no sign-up, no watermark and no limit on how many times you use it. Light ads keep the site running.
