Quiet first. Always.
A frequency test should never feel loud, sharp or uncomfortable. Lower your device volume before the first tone and stop immediately if anything feels wrong.
Before every test
- Lower your phone, computer, interface or amplifier volume.
- Remove EQ, bass boost, loudness and spatial-audio processing where practical.
- Begin with the 1 kHz reference at a quiet, comfortable level.
- Keep sessions short and take a break if your ears feel tired.
Why we do not show “safe dB”
A browser knows the digital gain used inside its audio graph. It does not know your device’s amplifier gain, headphone sensitivity, speaker distance, ear-cup seal or actual sound pressure at your ear. Displaying a precise dB SPL number without calibration would be misleading.
High frequencies require extra care
Very high tones can be hard to hear even when equipment is producing them. Do not compensate by turning the volume up. Our individual high-frequency samples are time-limited, but your device volume remains under your control.
When to stop
Stop immediately if you feel discomfort, pressure, pain, dizziness, sudden ringing or a change in hearing. If you have persistent symptoms, sudden hearing changes or concerns about one ear, seek advice from a qualified health professional.
Medical boundary
Frequency Test is an informal browser-based screening and audio utility. It cannot measure clinical hearing thresholds in dB HL, diagnose hearing loss or replace an evaluation by a hearing professional.
See the World Health Organization’s safe listening guidance for broader recommendations about volume and exposure time.