Think your hearing is fine? Test yourself at home with these audio frequencies and discover which sounds might already be slipping past you.
8,000 Hz – The benchmark for normal hearing
This tone is considered the basic threshold for normal hearing. Most people should be able to hear it easily.
If you can’t, it may signal the very beginning of hearing loss and could be worth checking with a specialist.
12,000 Hz – The over-50 challenge
As we age, our ability to detect higher frequencies naturally declines. This frequency often marks the first noticeable drop for those over 50.
If you struggle to hear it, you’re definitely not alone – and it’s usually nothing to worry about.
15,000 Hz – A tricky pitch for those over 40
This frequency pushes the limits for even younger adults.
Hearing loss in this range is very common for people past their 40s, so missing it isn’t necessarily alarming. It’s a typical sign of natural aging.
17,400 Hz – The teenager tone
Only the youngest ears tend to pick up this ultra-high tone. If you’re a teenager, you might still hear it clearly.
Most adults can’t detect it at all, which is why it’s sometimes used in public spaces to deter loitering teens.
2,000–8,000 Hz – The vulnerable zone
This frequency range is often the first to be affected by hearing damage.
It includes many everyday sounds – like consonants in speech and voices of women and children. Difficulty in this range can seriously impact daily communication.
Sounds above 85 dB – The silent danger
Long-term exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels – like heavy traffic or loud workplaces – can cause hearing loss over time.
The damage is often gradual and painless, making it easy to overlook until it’s too late.
100 dB – The motorcycle warning
Exposure to 100 decibels, like from a motorcycle or loud concert, can damage your ears in just 15 minutes.
If you’re in loud environments frequently, ear protection isn’t optional – it’s essential.
120 dB – Instant inner ear damage
At this level – think chainsaws or emergency sirens – the sound waves are intense enough to cause immediate damage to the hair cells inside your inner ear.
This damage is irreversible, so staying protected is critical.
Medications that affect hearing
Certain medications can unexpectedly harm your hearing.
Drugs like some antibiotics and chemotherapy treatments can have ototoxic effects, meaning they damage the inner ear.
Always consult your doctor if you notice hearing changes while on medication.
It’s not just about age or noise
While age and loud environments are the most common culprits behind hearing loss, genetics and medical conditions can also play a major role.
Even with a quiet lifestyle, inherited factors might still lead to early hearing problems.
This article is based on information from Decibel Hearing Service.