Play a tone and tap “I can hear it” to move up to the next, higher pitch. The moment you tap “I can't”, we use the last tone you heard to estimate how old your ears are. It takes about a minute.
Why do high pitches go first?
The hair cells that pick up high frequencies sit at the entrance of the cochlea, so they take the most wear from age and loud noise. That is why hearing loss usually starts at the top end. Teenagers can often hear 18–20 kHz, and the ceiling slowly drops over the years.
Getting a fair result
Find a quiet room and use wired headphones if you can. Laptop and phone speakers, and some Bluetooth earbuds, struggle above 16 kHz, so silence may be your gear rather than your ears. Start quiet and turn it up gradually.
When to get a real hearing test
If you keep asking people to repeat themselves, keep nudging the TV volume up, or hear a constant ringing, book a hearing test with an audiologist or ENT. This tool is a fun estimate, not a medical exam.
FAQ
- Is it free?
- Yes. Nothing to install or sign up for, and the tones are generated right in your browser.
- I can't hear 20 kHz. Is something wrong?
- Not at all. Most adults can't hear 20 kHz, and many devices can't play it cleanly either. Treat the result as a rough guide.
- How accurate is my hearing age?
- The upper limit of hearing is linked to age, but people vary a lot, and headphones, volume and background noise all shift the result. It is a ballpark figure.
- Can it hurt my ears?
- Not at a low volume. High tones can feel sharp even when quiet, so stop and turn it down if it gets uncomfortable.
