Hearing Test (Frequency Sweep)
A slow frequency sweep from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Find your high-frequency hearing limit by ear.
20 Hz
Press start to begin the sweep.
Longer sweeps give finer frequency resolution at your hearing limit.
Use headphones at moderate volume. This is an ear-only check, not a medical hearing test.
About this hearing test
Most adults lose their high-frequency hearing gradually with age — by 40, hearing above 14 kHz drops noticeably; by 60, above 8-10 kHz. This tool plays a slow sine sweep from 20 Hz up to 20 kHz so you can find the highest frequency you can hear by ear. The current frequency is shown live as the sweep moves.
Important: this is an audiology curiosity, not a medical hearing test. Real hearing tests use calibrated equipment in a quiet room and measure threshold sensitivity at multiple frequencies. If you suspect hearing loss, see an audiologist.
How to take the hearing test
- 01
Use headphones
External speakers add their own frequency response — headphones give a cleaner test.
- 02
Set a comfortable volume
Mid-volume. Don't crank the volume just because you can't hear — that's the test.
- 03
Start the sweep
When you stop hearing the tone, look at the displayed frequency. That's your upper limit.
Why use this hearing test
- Slow, smooth frequency sweep from 20 Hz → 20 kHz
- Live display of current frequency
- Adjustable sweep duration
- Free, private, no install
- No signup, no upload
- Ear-only test — not medical-grade but useful as a curiosity
Hearing test FAQ
What's a normal hearing range?
Children and young adults can typically hear 20 Hz – 20 kHz. By age 30, the upper limit drops to around 17 kHz; by 50, around 13 kHz; by 70, around 10 kHz. Yours may differ — there's wide individual variation.
Why does the volume seem to change during the sweep?
Headphones and speakers don't produce all frequencies equally loudly. The sweep itself is constant amplitude; the perceived loudness shifts because of your gear and your ears.
Is this medical-grade?
No. It's an interesting check, not a diagnosis. Real audiograms test specific frequencies at calibrated levels with masked hearing in each ear separately.
Why do my dogs / cats freak out?
Their hearing extends well above 20 kHz. Be considerate — start at low volume.
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