How to use
- Put on headphones in a quiet room and click Start.
- Click Play reference tone and set your device volume so it is clear but comfortable, then click Start the test.
- Press I hear it (or Space) as soon as you hear each beep. Beeps start very quietly and get louder in 5 dB steps.
- Read the result and the table of levels for each ear.
Options explained
- Frequencies
- 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1, 2, 4 and 8 kHz in each ear — the range most important for understanding speech and the one checked in a standard audiogram.
- Levels in dB
- The quietest level you heard, relative to the reference volume (0 dB). The test starts at −60 dB and goes up 5 dB per beep.
- Flagged tones
- Tones that needed at least 20 dB more than your best one, and frequencies where your ears differ by 15 dB or more.
What the frequencies cover
The test plays six tones in each ear, from low to high pitch:
| Frequency | What you hear at this pitch |
|---|---|
| 250 Hz | Low hum, vowels and the depth of a male voice |
| 500 Hz | Most vowel sounds |
| 1,000 Hz | The middle of speech; the test starts here |
| 2,000 Hz | Consonants that make speech clear |
| 4,000 Hz | Sounds such as s, f, th and k; often the first to drop with noise damage |
| 8,000 Hz | Birdsong, hiss and the brightness of music; drops naturally with age |
How to read the result
Weak frequencies. A pitch you only heard 20 dB or more above your best result is listed as weaker. A dip at 4,000 Hz in both ears is the typical pattern of noise exposure from concerts, headphones or loud work.
Left–right difference. A gap of 15 dB or more at the same pitch is flagged. One ear being noticeably worse than the other is a good reason to see a doctor, especially if it came on suddenly.
Not heard. A tone that was still silent at the reference volume is shown as not heard.
The results are relative to the reference volume you set at the start, not medical dB HL. Different headphones and volume settings change the numbers, so compare results from the same setup over time, and see an audiologist for a calibrated hearing test.
Frequently asked questions
Can this replace a hearing test at a clinic?
No. A browser cannot calibrate sound to clinical dB HL, and headphones and background noise change the results. Use it as a hint, and see an audiologist or doctor if you have concerns.
Why do I need headphones?
Each ear is tested separately, and speakers send sound to both ears. Headphones also keep the volume steady.
Is anything recorded?
No. The tones are generated in your browser and your answers stay on your device.
Privacy
This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your files and text are processed on your device and are never uploaded to our servers.