# Have you tested your hearing frequency range lately? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 16, 2023, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tested-your-hearing-frequency-range-lately/982750 "2023-04-16T17:17:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2023, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tested-your-hearing-frequency-range-lately/982750/1 "2023-04-16T17:17:51Z")
I just did a few tests and it looks as if I cut off at about 10.5 KHz nowadays. Depressing, used to be able to hear up to 14 KHz only a few years ago. I’ve been involved with audio engineering (live and recording) all my life; didn’t seem to affect me too much. Of course I knew the issues and took precautions. But you can’t halt the ageing process, it seems… oh, all right, so I’m 74… ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2023, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tested-your-hearing-frequency-range-lately/982750/2 "2023-04-16T17:57:45Z")
A couple weeks ago I was listening to an episode of the “Conan O’Brien needs a friend” podcast in which the sound engineer played test tones increasing in frequency for Conan, his sidekick Sona Movsesion, and his producer, Matt Gourley. At first Conan, Sona, Matt and I all stopped hearing the tones after 16 KHz. Then the sound guy did it again, a little louder, and Conan still cut off after 16 while Sona, Matt and I could hear up to 17. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2023, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tested-your-hearing-frequency-range-lately/982750/3 "2023-04-16T18:04:39Z")
I’m 59 and I have been to thousands of rock concerts including over 150 in the last twelve months. I never wear ear protection. I played a youtube hearing test frequency video over my stereo system turned up loud and could hear up to maybe 17.8k. Maybe this test is invalid. I am pretty surprised that I have that little damage. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2023, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tested-your-hearing-frequency-range-lately/982750/4 "2023-04-16T18:10:01Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > I’m 59 and I have been to thousands of rock concerts including over 150 in the last twelve months. Is that a typo and you meant to type 15, or have you actually attended a rock concert every 2 or 3 days for the past year? If the latter, do you work at a venue that hosts rock concerts, or something?!? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2023, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tested-your-hearing-frequency-range-lately/982750/5 "2023-04-16T18:16:45Z")
Not a typo. I’m retired and go to three or four shows a week on average. It’s my hobby. In 2022 I went to 170 shows. I’ve been to 50 so far in 2023. I went to around half that many when I was working full time. If you go to a lot of jam band, blues, bluegrass, jazz or funk shows between LA and SLO, you probably know me or at least recognize me. There are actually a fair number of people in the area with my body count. We all know each other. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2023, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tested-your-hearing-frequency-range-lately/982750/6 "2023-04-16T22:36:54Z")
I haven’t had my hearing tests since… well, a few weeks ago. I don’t have the sheet handy, but I’m stable compared to last year. I have a glitch right where many people develop - right around where old CRTs whine when they are turned on but don’t have a signal. It matches my tinnitus. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tested-your-hearing-frequency-range-lately/982750/7 "2023-04-27T07:57:08Z")
I’m 72. A couple of years ago I made an MP3 of test tones using Audacity and played it over a really good sound system. I can’t hear much above 10k Hz. I recently noticed that my balance is worse with my eyes closed. My doctor explained that that part of ears ages, too.