8 kHz EXTENDED

Extended High-Frequency Hearing Test

Standard hearing tests only go up to 8 kHz — that is less than half of what young, healthy ears can hear. Hearing loss from noise, aging, and medications starts at the highest frequencies, the ones standard tests miss.

Frequency coverage comparison

Standard Test
250 Hz – 8 kHz
Extended Range
8 – 20 kHz
250 Hz 8 kHz 20 kHz

Early Detection

Noise damage shows up in extended high frequencies years before a standard audiogram catches it. A 25-year-old with noise exposure might pass a standard test while already showing significant loss above 12 kHz.

Aging (Presbycusis)

Most people start losing frequencies above 16 kHz in their 20s. This universal, age-related hearing loss progresses gradually. This test shows exactly where your hearing stands relative to your age.

Medication Monitoring

Aminoglycoside antibiotics, cisplatin chemotherapy, and other ototoxic drugs damage hearing starting at the highest frequencies. Extended HF testing is the clinical standard for monitoring these patients.

Tinnitus Correlation

High-frequency hearing loss is strongly associated with tinnitus onset. Users who discover loss in this range may benefit from AudioNotch's targeted notch therapy.

Important: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional hearing evaluation. Results are approximate and depend on your audio equipment and environment. If you have concerns about your hearing, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Headphone Check

This test requires headphones. Laptop speakers, phone speakers, and Bluetooth speakers cannot reproduce frequencies above 12-15 kHz. Please put on your headphones now.

Step 1: We will play a 1 kHz tone. Click the button below, then confirm you can hear it.

Your Age

Enter your age so we can compare your results to age-matched norms. This is optional but recommended.

years

Choose Your Test

Select the test that best fits your needs.

Headphone quality notice: Results above 16 kHz depend heavily on your headphone quality. Many consumer earbuds roll off above 16-18 kHz. For the most accurate results, use high-quality wired over-ear headphones.

Quick Sweep

1-2 minutes

Find your highest audible frequency with a descending and ascending frequency sweep. Quick, easy, and shareable.

Extended Audiogram

~10 minutes

Measure thresholds at 9 frequencies for each ear using clinical Hughson-Westlake method. Get a detailed extended audiogram.

Volume Calibration

We will play a 1 kHz reference tone. Adjust your device volume so the tone is clearly audible but comfortable — like a normal speaking voice. Do not set it too loud.

Safety: Do not increase your device volume beyond a comfortable level. If you need to turn the volume up very high to hear a tone, that frequency may be near or beyond your hearing limit.

Descending Sweep

Listen carefully. Press the button the moment you first hear the tone.

20.0 kHz
8 kHz 10 12 14 16 18 20 kHz

Press Space or Enter to respond

Extended Audiogram Test

Left Ear

Testing 8 kHz — Frequency 1 of 9

8.0 kHz
Please only respond when you truly hear a tone.

Press Y = I Hear It  |  N = No Sound

Your High-Frequency Hearing Limit

16.2 kHz
8 kHz101214161820 kHz

Test Details

Email me my results

We'll send your result plus a short intro to what it means for tinnitus and hearing.

Check your inbox. Your results are on the way.

Something went wrong. Check the email address and try again.

No spam. Unsubscribe with one click at any time.

Reminder: Results above 16 kHz depend on headphone quality. If your headphones cannot reproduce these frequencies, the test may underestimate your hearing ability.

Do You Experience Tinnitus?

High-frequency hearing loss is the #1 risk factor for tinnitus. AudioNotch creates custom sound therapy that targets the frequency of your tinnitus to help reduce its perceived loudness.

  Try AudioNotch Tinnitus Therapy
Medical Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional hearing evaluation by an audiologist. Results are approximate and depend on your audio equipment, environment, and other factors. This test does not diagnose hearing loss, tinnitus, or any medical condition. If you have concerns about your hearing, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Your Extended Audiogram

Right Ear (O)
X
Left Ear (X)

Email me my results

We'll send your result plus a short intro to what it means for tinnitus and hearing.

Check your inbox. Your results are on the way.

Something went wrong. Check the email address and try again.

No spam. Unsubscribe with one click at any time.

Reminder: Results above 16 kHz depend on headphone quality. Thresholds at the highest frequencies may reflect equipment limitations rather than hearing ability.

Do You Experience Tinnitus?

High-frequency hearing loss is the #1 risk factor for tinnitus. AudioNotch creates custom sound therapy that targets the frequency of your tinnitus to help reduce its perceived loudness.

  Try AudioNotch Tinnitus Therapy
Medical Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional hearing evaluation by an audiologist. Results are approximate and depend on your audio equipment, environment, and other factors. This test does not diagnose hearing loss, tinnitus, or any medical condition. If you have concerns about your hearing, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Extended High-Frequency Hearing FAQ

What is extended high-frequency hearing?

Extended high-frequency hearing refers to the ability to hear sounds between 8 kHz and 20 kHz. Standard hearing tests only cover up to 8 kHz, missing the upper range where hearing loss from aging, noise, and medications typically begins first.

Why does high-frequency hearing matter?

High-frequency hearing loss is often the earliest sign of noise-induced hearing loss, ototoxic medication effects, and age-related presbycusis. Testing this range can detect problems years before they appear on a standard audiogram.

Do I need special headphones for this test?

You need headphones (not speakers) to take this test. For the most accurate results above 16 kHz, use high-quality wired over-ear headphones. Many consumer earbuds roll off above 16-18 kHz, which can make the test underestimate your hearing ability.