How old are your ears? 30-second test reveals your true hearing age and whether you’re at risk of going deaf
A SIMPLE 30-second test can reveal if you are secretly suffering from hearing loss.
The hearing check measures how well users’ ears pick up high-pitched sounds.
This is because we increasingly struggle to hear higher frequencies as we age.
To complete the test, users press play on the video below and pause when they can no longer hear the high-pitched tone.
The frequency of the tone users can hear (measured in Hertz or Hz) is used to estimate the user’s hearing age.
You can then compare your ear age to your actual age.
The test is based on a 2021 study from China, which analysed how age affects the ability to hear different frequencies.
Most people begin life able to hear sounds up to 20,000 Hz.
This almost halves to 11,500 Hz when you hit your 40s.
Hearing ability then drops even further (8,000 Hz) for adults in their 60s, according to the research published in the Journal of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
This is because the tiny hair-like sensory hearing cells in your cochlea (inner ear) get more damaged as you age.
These hair cells, known as stereocilia, are responsible for translating the sounds your ears collect into electrical impulses, which your brain eventually interprets as recognisable sounds.
Taking care of our hearing at all ages is essential to protect not only our ears but also our minds
Andy Shanks
In a recent analysis of the results of an app-based version of this test, eargym discovered that almost half (47 per cent) of 16-35-year-olds have a hearing age older than their biological age.
Of the 16-35 year olds who had an older hearing age, the average difference between their hearing age and biological age was 13 years.
Andy Shanks, hearing health expert and co-founder at eargym, said: “The majority of us will experience some form of hearing loss in our lifetimes.
“But if we can spot the signs early and make some small changes, we can take steps to protect our hearing and prevent future avoidable hearing loss.”
He suggests getting your hearing tested regularly to catch any abnormal changes.
“Safe listening practices, such as the use of ear defenders, gig-plugs and noise-cancelling headphones, can also make a big difference when protecting our hearing health long in the future,’ Andy added.
“Hearing loss is one of the biggest modifiable risk factors for dementia and is strongly associated with poor mental health and cognitive decline.
“So taking care of our hearing at all ages is essential to protect our ears and our minds.”
What is hearing loss?
Around 11million people in the UK are affected by hearing loss – making it the second most common disability in the UK.
It is associated with social isolation, mental health issues, cognitive decline and even dementia.
There are many possible causes of hearing loss, such as frequent exposure to loud sounds, infections, a build-up of ear wax, or age.
Some people are born with hearing loss, but most cases develop as they age.
If you notice signs of hearing loss it is important not to self diagnose and visit your GP for a more thorough hearing test.
Hearing loss: the signs
IT'S not always easy to tell if you're losing your hearing. But some common signs include:
- Difficulty hearing other people clearly and misunderstanding what they say, especially in noisy places
- Asking people to repeat themselves
- Listening to music or watching TV with the volume higher than other people need
- Difficulty hearing on the phone
- Finding it hard to keep up with a conversation
- Feeling tired or stressed from having to concentrate while listening
Sometimes someone else might notice problems with your hearing before you do.
Hearing loss can affect a child’s speech development and progress at school.
See a GP if:
- You think your hearing is getting gradually worse
- You’ve had treatment for an ear infection or earwax build-up but your hearing has not come back
You can also sometimes get a free hearing test at some pharmacies and opticians.