Normal Hearing Range in Hertz by Age
The normal human ear can process sound frequencies from 20 to 20,000 Hz across the lifespan, with 500 to 4000 Hz being the most critical range for speech processing. 1
Baseline Normal Hearing Range
The full human hearing spectrum spans 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz in young, healthy adults with normal hearing. 1, 2
The speech-critical frequency range is 500 to 4000 Hz, which is essential for understanding conversation and communication. 1
Normal hearing is defined as thresholds ≤20 dB HL at standard audiometric frequencies (250-8000 Hz) for adults. 3
For children, normal hearing is defined as ≤15 dB HL at the 3-frequency pure tone average (500,1000,2000 Hz). 1
Age-Related Changes in Hearing Range
Young Adults (18-40 years)
Young adults aged 18-40 years maintain hearing thresholds ≤20 dB HL across most frequencies, including extended high frequencies up to 14,000 Hz. 4
At 16,000 Hz, normal thresholds increase to approximately 30 dB HL even in this younger age group. 4
Notably, 74 of 116 "normally hearing" young adults demonstrated some hearing loss at frequencies above 8000 Hz, suggesting that extended high-frequency loss may begin earlier than traditionally recognized. 2
Middle-Aged Adults (>40-70 years)
A significant threshold shift occurs after age 40, with measurably worse hearing at all frequencies compared to those under 40 years. 4
Adults over 40 years demonstrate median hearing thresholds ranging from 20 dB HL at 9000 Hz to 70 dB HL at 14,000-16,000 Hz. 4
Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) characteristically begins with high-frequency loss due to basal cochlear hair cell degeneration, then progressively affects mid-range and lower frequencies. 5
Older Adults (>50 years)
The prevalence of hearing loss ranges from 20% to 40% in adults older than 50 years, increasing to more than 80% in adults aged 80 years or older. 1
High-frequency hearing above 8000 Hz deteriorates more rapidly with age, while speech-frequency hearing (500-4000 Hz) may remain relatively preserved until later decades. 1, 6
Clinical Testing Frequencies
Standard clinical audiometry tests frequencies from 250 to 8000 Hz, which captures the speech-critical range but misses extended high frequencies. 1, 2
Primary care screening typically focuses on 500,1000,2000, and 4000 Hz using a fail criterion of >20 dB HL at one or more frequencies. 1
Extended high-frequency audiometry (EHFA) assesses 9000 to 20,000 Hz and is useful for early detection of hearing loss, monitoring ototoxicity, and counseling tinnitus patients. 4
Important Clinical Caveats
Children under age 3 years have "normal thresholds" that are up to 15 dB greater than older children due to developmental effects and testing methodology limitations. 1
Standard test-retest variability typically fluctuates by ±5 dB across frequencies, so changes <10 dB may not represent true threshold shifts. 3
No gender differences exist in average hearing thresholds at most frequencies when proper depth-compensated calibration methods are used, contrary to some older reports. 6
Asymmetric hearing loss (≥15 dB difference between ears at two or more frequencies) is never normal and warrants MRI evaluation to exclude retrocochlear pathology such as vestibular schwannoma. 5
Extended high-frequency hearing loss correlates with self-reported difficulty hearing in noise, even when standard audiometry appears normal. 2