What Is a Hearing Test?
A hearing test measures your ability to hear sounds at different pitches (frequencies) and volumes. This online screening tool uses pure tone audiometry — the same method used in clinical hearing evaluations — to assess your hearing thresholds.
Your results are displayed as an audiogram — a standardized chart used by audiologists worldwide to visualize hearing ability. The audiogram shows your hearing thresholds with circle markers (O) for the right ear and X markers for the left ear.
Who Should Take This Test?
- Anyone curious about their hearing ability
- People who suspect they may have hearing changes
- Those exposed to loud environments (concerts, machinery, headphones)
- Anyone wanting to monitor their hearing over time
How to Use
Before You Start
Use Headphones
Find Quiet Space
Set Volume to 50%
During the Test
Start Test
Click "Start Hearing Test" to begin. The test starts with your right ear at 1,000 Hz.
Play Tone
Press the "Play Tone" button to hear the sound at the current frequency.
Respond
If you hear the tone, click "I Hear It". If you cannot hear anything, click "Can't Hear" — the volume will increase and replay automatically.
Complete All Tests
The test moves through 6 frequencies for each ear (12 tests total).
Understanding Your Results
After completing all 12 tests, you'll see an audiogram showing your hearing thresholds. Lower values on the audiogram (closer to the top) indicate better hearing. The green-shaded area represents the normal hearing range.
| Hearing Level (dB HL) | Classification | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20 dB HL | Normal hearing | Excellent |
| 20–40 dB HL | Mild hearing loss | Monitor |
| 40–55 dB HL | Moderate hearing loss | Attention |
| 55–70 dB HL | Moderately severe hearing loss | Consult |
| 70+ dB HL | Severe hearing loss | Professional Care |
Features
Standard Audiometry Frequencies
The test covers six clinically standard frequencies: 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, 4 kHz, and 8 kHz. These frequencies span the range critical for speech understanding and everyday hearing, following the same protocol used in professional hearing evaluations.
Separate Ear Testing
Each ear is tested independently using stereo panning. The right ear is tested first, followed by the left ear, giving you a complete picture of your hearing in both ears. Color-coded indicators (red for right, blue for left) keep you informed throughout the test.
Ascending Volume Method
The test uses an ascending method with 11 volume levels — starting from very quiet and gradually increasing until you can hear the tone. This approach helps find the softest sound you can detect at each frequency, which is your hearing threshold.
Interactive Audiogram
Results are presented on a professional-style audiogram chart with clear visual markers and classifications.
- Circle markers (O) for right ear thresholds (red)
- X markers for left ear thresholds (blue)
- Normal hearing zone highlighted for easy reference
- Down arrows for frequencies where no response was detected
Hearing Level Classification
Each ear receives an overall assessment based on the average hearing threshold, classified from Normal to Severe hearing loss. This helps you quickly understand your results without needing to interpret the audiogram yourself.
Your Data Stays Private
All audio is generated in your browser using the Web Audio API.
- No uploads — sounds are created locally, nothing is sent to a server
- No tracking — your hearing results are not collected or stored
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this test a medical diagnosis?
No. This is a screening tool that provides approximate hearing thresholds. Results depend on your device, headphones, environment, and volume settings. For a clinical evaluation, please visit a certified audiologist who can perform calibrated testing in a soundproof environment.
Why do I need headphones?
Headphones are essential because the test checks each ear separately. Without headphones, sound from your speakers reaches both ears simultaneously, making it impossible to test them independently. Over-ear headphones or earbuds both work well.
What frequencies are tested?
The test covers six standard audiometric frequencies: 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, 2,000 Hz, 4,000 Hz, and 8,000 Hz. These frequencies are critical for understanding speech and detecting common patterns of hearing loss.
- 250-500 Hz: Low-frequency sounds (bass tones, vowels)
- 1,000-2,000 Hz: Mid-frequency sounds (most speech sounds)
- 4,000-8,000 Hz: High-frequency sounds (consonants, clarity)
Why does the test start at 1,000 Hz?
Starting at 1,000 Hz follows standard audiometric protocol. This frequency is in the middle of the speech range, making it easy to recognize. The test then moves to higher frequencies (2k, 4k, 8k Hz) before checking lower ones (500, 250 Hz).
What does "Can't Hear" at maximum volume mean?
If you cannot hear a tone even at the highest volume level, it's shown as a down arrow on the audiogram. This may indicate significant hearing loss at that frequency, but keep in mind that device and headphone limitations can also affect the result.
How accurate are the results?
Online hearing tests provide a general indication of hearing ability. Accuracy is influenced by ambient noise, headphone quality, device volume settings, and calibration. Clinical tests use calibrated equipment in controlled environments for precise measurements.
Factors Affecting Accuracy
Limitations
- Uncalibrated equipment
- Variable ambient noise
- Consumer-grade headphones
- Self-administered
Advantages
- Calibrated audiometer
- Soundproof booth
- Professional headphones
- Audiologist-administered
Can I take the test multiple times?
Yes. Click "Test Again" after viewing your results to retake the test. Retesting can help confirm results or track changes over time.
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