Hearing Age Test: How Old Are Your Ears?
Play high tones from 8 kHz to 20 kHz and find the highest one you can hear. Takes about one minute with headphones.
Watch: Quick Hearing Age Challenge
Put on headphones. Which is the last tone you can hear?
How to use it
Three quick steps.
Put on headphones
Use wired or Bluetooth headphones in a quiet room. Set your volume low first.
Play each tone
Press play and answer honestly: I hear it, or I can’t hear it.
See your result
The highest tone you heard gives a rough “hearing age”.
How the hearing age test works
As we get older, the tiny hair cells in the inner ear that pick up high sounds wear out first. That is why teenagers can hear a 17 kHz “mosquito tone” that most adults cannot. This test plays tones that get higher step by step. The last tone you can still hear is matched to the age range where most people lose it.
Typical results
| Highest tone heard | Typical age |
|---|---|
| 8 kHz | Almost everyone can hear this |
| 12 kHz | About 40 to 50 |
| 15 kHz | About 30 to 35 |
| 16 kHz | About 25 to 30 |
| 17.4 kHz | Under 25 |
| 19 kHz and above | Under 20 |
Why your score might be lower than expected
- Phone and laptop speakers often stop at about 15 to 16 kHz. Use headphones for a fair result.
- Bluetooth codecs can cut the very highest frequencies. Wired headphones are best.
- Background noise hides quiet high tones. Try again in a quiet room.
- Volume too low: raise it a little, but never to an uncomfortable level.
Protect your hearing
Hearing loss from loud sound is permanent but easy to prevent. Keep headphones below about 60% volume, take breaks, and measure loud places with our Sound Meter. For a full sweep from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, try the Frequency Range Test.
Questions people ask
Is this a real hearing test?
No. It is a fun estimate of high-frequency hearing. Only an audiologist can test your hearing properly.
Why can’t I hear 8 kHz?
Check that sound is on, the volume is up and your headphones are connected. Then try another pair.
Can loud tones hurt my ears?
The test starts quiet and each tone is short. Keep the volume low and stop if anything feels uncomfortable.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes, in Safari, Chrome and other modern browsers. Use headphones for the best result.
Why can kids hear sounds adults cannot?
High-frequency hearing cells wear out with age and noise, so young people hear higher tones.
Does Bluetooth affect the result?
Some Bluetooth codecs cut very high frequencies. Wired headphones give the most accurate result.
Can I improve my hearing age?
Lost high-frequency hearing does not come back, but protecting your ears keeps it from getting worse.
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