Typical Hearing Frequency Range by Age
The approximate upper frequency limit usually quoted for each age band, why the top of the range goes first, and why almost none of it affects speech. These are population tendencies taught in hearing education, not a standard anybody is measured against, and nothing here is a hearing test.
7 pages in this section. Trade and clinical conventions, taught everywhere and published as a standard by nobody.
- Hearing Frequency Range at Under 20 The upper limit of hearing usually quoted for ages under 20 is around 20,000 hertz. This is a population tendency rather than a measurement, and an individual can sit well outside it at any age.
- Hearing Frequency Range at 20 to 29 The upper limit of hearing usually quoted for ages 20 to 29 is around 17,000 hertz. This is a population tendency rather than a measurement, and an individual can sit well outside it at any age.
- Hearing Frequency Range at 30 to 39 The upper limit of hearing usually quoted for ages 30 to 39 is around 16,000 hertz. This is a population tendency rather than a measurement, and an individual can sit well outside it at any age.
- Hearing Frequency Range at 40 to 49 The upper limit of hearing usually quoted for ages 40 to 49 is around 15,000 hertz. This is a population tendency rather than a measurement, and an individual can sit well outside it at any age.
- Hearing Frequency Range at 50 to 59 The upper limit of hearing usually quoted for ages 50 to 59 is around 12,000 hertz. This is a population tendency rather than a measurement, and an individual can sit well outside it at any age.
- Hearing Frequency Range at 60 to 69 The upper limit of hearing usually quoted for ages 60 to 69 is around 10,000 hertz. This is a population tendency rather than a measurement, and an individual can sit well outside it at any age.
- Hearing Frequency Range at 70 and over The upper limit of hearing usually quoted for ages 70 and over is around 8,000 hertz. This is a population tendency rather than a measurement, and an individual can sit well outside it at any age.
Not medical advice, not a hearing test, not a diagnosis. Everything in this section is general information compiled from published standards, regulatory classifications, manufacturer specifications and the consensus of verified owner reviews. The charts explain what a measurement shows. They cannot tell you what your hearing is, and nothing on this site can measure it. Only a licensed audiologist or physician can evaluate hearing. If hearing changed suddenly, affects one ear only, or comes with pain, drainage, dizziness or ringing alongside weakness or numbness, contact a doctor promptly rather than reading a chart.