In short: the highest sounds we can hear fade naturally with age, so the highest pitch you still hear gives a rough "age" of your ears. This page plays tones from 8 to 19 kHz through your headphones, higher and higher, and stops at the first one you do not hear, in about two minutes. It is a playful, indicative guide; it does not test the sounds of speech and it is not a hearing test.
Ten tones
From 8 kHz up to 19 kHz, each for about two seconds.
Yes or no
Say whether you still hear the sound, and replay it if you are unsure.
A rough guide
The highest tone you heard, and the age range in which it is usually heard.
How the test works
- Use headphones in a quiet room. Many phone and laptop speakers cannot play very high sounds.
- Set the volume with the reference sound: clear but comfortable, never loud.
- Listen to each tone and answer "yes" or "no". The tones get higher.
- The test stops at the first tone you do not hear.
What the result means
As a rough guide, people under about 25 often hear 17.5 kHz or more, and the upper limit tends to drop by about a kilohertz each decade after that. Your headphones, the volume and the device also limit what you can hear, so treat the result as playful and indicative, not as a measure of your hearing.
What this test is not
It does not test the frequencies of speech (250 Hz to 8 kHz), which matter most in daily life. For those, try the full hearing test on this site. If you have trouble following conversations, ringing in your ears or sudden changes in hearing, talk to a doctor or audiologist.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest frequency humans can hear?
Around 20 kHz in young children; the upper limit drops gradually with age, which is completely normal.
Why can't I hear the highest tones?
Most often because of age, but also because headphones, speakers or the volume do not reproduce them. Try different headphones before drawing conclusions.
Is the test safe for my ears?
Yes at a comfortable volume. Never turn the volume up to hear a tone you cannot hear; that adds nothing and can be unpleasant.
Is my result saved?
The test runs on your device and keeps the result only while this page is open; nothing is stored in your browser. You can copy it, or save it in a free Anpheros account.
