The ability to perceive sound is determined by the range of frequencies an ear can detect, measured in Hertz (Hz). Hertz measures pitch: a low number represents a deep, rumbling sound, while a high number represents a high-pitched tone. This hearing ability is a dynamic capacity that changes throughout a person’s life. The extent of sound frequencies a person can perceive varies significantly, influenced by genetics and environment.
The Standard Human Frequency Range
The theoretical range of human hearing is commonly cited as 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, or 20 kilohertz (kHz). This broad span represents the sounds a young, healthy ear is capable of detecting. Frequencies below 20 Hz are known as infrasound, and sounds above 20 kHz are termed ultrasound, which many mammals like bats and dolphins can perceive.
The full 20 kHz range is rarely maintained into adulthood. Most people begin to experience a gradual decline in their upper frequency limit in their teens or early twenties. For the average adult, the highest-pitched sounds they can perceive typically fall between 15,000 and 17,000 Hz. The highest sensitivity for the human ear is concentrated in the mid-range frequencies, specifically between 1,000 Hz and 3,000 Hz.
How Age and Noise Exposure Change Your Hearing
The loss of high-frequency hearing stems primarily from two factors: aging and cumulative noise exposure. Age-related hearing loss, known as presbycusis, is a progressive and irreversible condition that typically begins with the highest frequencies. This occurs because the delicate sensory hair cells in the cochlea, which convert sound vibrations into nerve signals, gradually degenerate over time.
Noise-induced hearing loss accelerates this decline by physically damaging those same hair cells. Exposure to sounds exceeding approximately 85 decibels—such as heavy city traffic or a lawnmower—can cause permanent injury. This damage usually affects the cochlea region that processes the highest frequencies first, often showing a dip around 4,000 Hz on a hearing test. Since humans cannot regenerate these inner ear hair cells, this type of hearing loss is permanent.
Protecting your hearing mitigates the effects of noise exposure and slows the progression of presbycusis. Wearing hearing protection like earplugs or earmuffs in loud environments, such as concerts, construction sites, or when using power tools, is necessary. This prevention is the key to preserving the upper end of your frequency range as you age.
Understanding the Importance of Low Frequencies
While the upper frequency limit determines the clarity of sound, the lower end of the spectrum provides power and depth. The low-frequency range, specifically from 20 Hz to around 100 Hz, is perceived differently than higher tones. At these deep, rumbling frequencies, sound waves are often felt as physical vibration rather than purely heard by the inner ear.
This physical sensation is due to bone conduction, where the skull vibrates, transmitting sound directly to the inner ear, bypassing the eardrum and middle ear. This vibratory perception gives bass notes in music their physical impact. Bone-conducted vibrations can also interact with the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance and spatial orientation. Research suggests that low-frequency bone vibration may influence an individual’s sense of motion or balance.
Getting Your Hearing Range Professionally Tested
A professional hearing evaluation provides a precise measurement of your hearing ability across the entire frequency range. This assessment, performed by an audiologist, results in a chart called an audiogram. Unlike an online self-test, a clinical test measures your hearing threshold—the softest sound you can detect—at specific frequencies.
Standard audiograms typically test frequencies most relevant to speech, such as 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, 2,000 Hz, 4,000 Hz, and 8,000 Hz. By testing these points, the audiologist creates a profile of your hearing sensitivity, identifying any loss by frequency and degree. For instance, a person might have normal hearing at 500 Hz but a mild loss at 4,000 Hz. Specialized tests, known as high-frequency audiometry, can extend this testing up to 20,000 Hz to detect early signs of damage.
The results are plotted on the audiogram, showing how many decibels (dB) of volume are required to hear a tone at each measured frequency. This assessment accurately determines your personal hearing range and identifies subtle losses that might not be noticeable in daily life. Understanding your audiogram allows for targeted intervention if a hearing loss is identified.