Pure-Tone Hearing Tests: What They Are and How to Take One Online
- wehelphearing
- Mar 23
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 3
If you're not hearing things like you used to—people sounding muffled, difficulty following conversations in noisy places, needing the TV louder than others—there’s a simple way to start getting answers: a pure-tone hearing test.
It’s the most common method used to check your hearing, and you can take a version of it online in just a few minutes.
What Is a Pure-Tone Hearing Test?
A pure-tone test measures how well you hear sounds across different frequencies (pitches) and volumes.
You’re played a series of beeps or tones through headphones. Each one is at a specific frequency (like low rumbles or high chirps). Every time you hear a tone, you respond. The quietest tones you can hear at each frequency are recorded and used to create your audiogram—a simple chart of your hearing ability.
Why It Matters
Hearing loss often starts gradually and in specific frequency ranges—usually the high end. You might still hear conversations, but miss certain letters or struggle in noisy places. A pure-tone test helps identify where the problem is happening, even if it’s not noticeable day to day.
Catching hearing changes early lets you:
Avoid strain in conversations
Prevent further decline (in some cases)
Consider options like hearing aids before it becomes a major issue
Take the Test Online
You don’t need to go to a clinic to get started. This free online hearing test works in your browser. Just grab headphones and find a quiet place.
It plays tones at multiple frequencies and tracks your responses. You’ll get instant feedback showing how your hearing compares to normal ranges. It’s not a medical diagnosis, but it’s a reliable first step.
Other Hearing Tests You Can Try
Once you’ve finished the pure-tone test, you may want to explore:
Speech-in-noise test – Checks how well you understand words with background noise
Speech clarity test – Measures how clearly you hear different spoken words
Left vs. right ear balance check – Identifies uneven hearing between ears
Each of these gives you a bit more insight into your hearing profile.
Keep Learning: Best Hearing Aids of 2025
If your results show some hearing loss, you don’t need to jump straight to appointments or expensive devices. There are now FDA-registered, over-the-counter hearing aids that are affordable and easy to use.
We reviewed several top options. You can read about them here: