Free interactive tool

Tinnitus Frequency Test

A pitch-matching tool that generates pure sine tones from 20 Hz to 16 kHz in your browser. In about 2 minutes you'll narrow down the frequency closest to the sound you hear.

How the tinnitus frequency test works

This test uses the browser's Web Audio API to generate precise pure sine tones. You select a sound type (cicada, mosquito, whistle, hum, engine, or ultra-high), which sets a starting frequency. You then fine-tune the tone with a slider, nudge buttons, and preset frequencies until it matches your tinnitus perception.

For unilateral tinnitus (ringing in one ear only), the tool plays the test tone in the opposite (healthy) ear via stereo panning. This follows standard audiology practice — testing on the healthy ear gives a more reliable pitch match because the affected ear's hearing may be altered at the tinnitus frequency.1

What is tinnitus pitch matching used for?

Tinnitus pitch matching is a standard audiological measurement. Clinicians use the matched frequency to:

  • Identify the region of the cochlea most likely involved
  • Correlate the tinnitus pitch with the patient's audiogram
  • Guide sound therapy protocols, including notched sound therapy
  • Track changes in tinnitus perception over time

About 60–80% of tinnitus sufferers report a pitch above 3 kHz, reflecting the high-frequency bias of age- and noise-induced hearing loss.2

Is it safe?

At normal listening volumes, pure sine tones in the 20 Hz – 16 kHz range carry no risk to healthy ears. However:

  • Start at a low volume and increase gradually. Loud tones above 85 dB over time can damage hearing.
  • People with hyperacusis or sound sensitivity should consult an audiologist before using any tone-generator tool.
  • This is a self-screening tool — not a diagnostic audiogram. Results depend on your headphones, device calibration, and hearing thresholds.

Why the test plays in the opposite ear

In unilateral tinnitus, the affected ear often has elevated hearing thresholds at the tinnitus frequency — meaning the test tone may be difficult to hear or qualitatively different in that ear. Presenting the tone to the healthy contralateral ear avoids this confound and yields more consistent pitch matches.1 This is the same approach used in clinical audiology.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need special headphones?

Any pair of over-ear or in-ear headphones with reasonable frequency response (most modern headphones) will work. Built-in laptop and phone speakers are acceptable for a rough estimate but tend to roll off at both low (under 150 Hz) and very high (over 10 kHz) frequencies.

Why does my tinnitus seem to change while I test?

This is called "residual inhibition" or temporary masking — briefly playing tones at or near the tinnitus frequency can momentarily suppress or alter the perceived tinnitus. The effect is usually short-lived and well-described in the literature.3

Is this a medical device?

No. SilenEar's frequency test is a self-screening tool for informational purposes. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition.

References

  1. Henry JA, Meikle MB. Psychoacoustic measures of tinnitus. J Am Acad Audiol. 2000;11(3):138–155. PubMed ID: 10755811.
  2. Norena A, Micheyl C, Chéry-Croze S, Collet L. Psychoacoustic characterization of the tinnitus spectrum. Audiol Neurootol. 2002;7(6):358–369. PubMed ID: 12401967.
  3. Roberts LE, Moffat G, Baumann M, Ward LM, Bosnyak DJ. Residual inhibition functions overlap tinnitus spectra and the region of auditory threshold shift. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol. 2008;9(4):417–435. PubMed ID: 18712566.