I just learned my hearing cuts out at about 14kHz, thanks to this page. As a musician, someone who has been to his share of concerts and a person over 25, I guess this is ok:
It’s fairly common for people who are over 25 years of age to not be able to hear above 15Hz
and
Musicians have a much higher risk of hearing loss that most people do
I’ve known my ability to hear high-frequency pitches has been diminishing, as even slightly-misbehaving electronics used to drive me crazy, but don’t anymore: in university, I worked in a department that had a slidemaker that when it was turned on, emitted a high-frequency sound that most people couldn’t hear, but I would have to leave the room or suffer a near-instant head-ache.
One of the joys of getting older, I guess, but as a muscian (and music lover) I’m grateful that I can still hear a normal range of tones.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for posting the pic of the Sellersville Theater on Flicker. I was looking for an image to grab onto as I just this evening returned from there, having tuned the piano (for the second time) for George Winston. He’s my favourite–just the best.
I’ve been tuning for 26 years now and think from time to time about the growing probability of my own hearing loss. I expect to get it checked out sometime, but I’m kind of squeamish about it as there is a lot at stake. All right. I’m a coward.
Blessings in Christ,
Tim Roof
Hi Tim, you’re welcome for the photo. Wish I could say I went to the George Winston concert – would have loved to have been there!
I know where you’re coming from with the hearing loss: I sometimes have similar fears about my vision. But as a tuner, I’m assuming you can still hear the high notes on the piano, right? Which means your hearing is likely still within the range for most music. I don’t know if you did the test on the web page I linked to, but even my 14k limit is a pretty high pitch.
All the best,
Steve
Great blog, by the way!
Hi Steve,
Regarding piano tuning, I am, so far, able to hear the highest pitches quite well. Ironically, I have always struggled with the very lowest bass notes, and that hasn’t changed much. I will say, though, that my biggest complaint from my older customers is that the high treble sounds like noise to them (just percussive) rather than individual tones, and they ask me if I can do anything about it. Of course, I can’t. But I have calmly discussed with them the inevitable hearing loss we all will experience over time and they usually take it quite well. They will often then pull their hearing aids out of their ears to show me that they understand.
Well, I took the test and maxed out at 15 kHz, but I have a couple of questions for you. What are the difficulties in judging results of a test such as this with the following factors involved: the quality of sound reproduction in (1)individual computer sound cards, (2)speakers, (3)headphones, and any other factors that a computer geek such as yourself would be able to ascertain? I would be interested to know how it all fits together.
Thanks for your kind words regarding my blog. You have a lot invested in your blog, and so much here for me to peruse through. Thanks for blogging!
Blessings,
Tim