【警告】このサイトで『自分の耳の可聴域』をテストしてみろ
An article titled "[Warning] Test Your Own Auditory Range on This Site!" has gone viral online, shocking many with unexpected results.
Users are expressing surprise at their 'hearing age' and how much their ears have deteriorated, actively sharing and discussing their findings on social media.
The test prompts reflection on the impact of both aging and daily ear strain, making it a highly engaging and talked-about topic.
Related Keywords
Audible Range
Audible range refers to the frequency range of sounds that humans can perceive. Generally, the human ear is said to be able to hear sounds from 20 hertz (Hz) to 20,000 hertz (20 kHz). However, this is an ideal figure, and actual perception varies significantly among individuals and with age. Particularly, hearing sensitivity for high-frequency sounds tends to decrease with age, a condition known as presbycusis (age-related hearing loss). For example, infants can often hear sounds up to nearly 20 kHz, but it's not uncommon for people in their 20s to only hear up to 15-17 kHz, in their 40s up to 12-14 kHz, and in their 60s and older up to 8-10 kHz. An auditory range test provides a simple way to measure the degree of this hearing loss, serving as a clue to one's ear health and hearing age. Online tests typically involve playing various frequencies and having users self-report which sounds they can hear. While not a substitute for medical diagnosis, it can be a good opportunity to raise awareness about one's own hearing. Noticing changes in hearing that may be progressing unnoticed in daily life can lead to early measures and better ear care.
Mosquito Tone
Mosquito tone refers to sound waves within the human audible range, specifically in the high-frequency band. These are often sounds with frequencies of 17 kHz or higher, which are audible to younger individuals but difficult for adults (especially those in their late 30s and older) whose high-frequency hearing has declined with age. Utilizing this characteristic, a device called "The Mosquito," developed in the UK, temporarily gained attention as a security device that emits high-frequency sounds audible to loitering youths but not to adults, aimed at deterring youth gatherings. In Japan, some young people used this mosquito tone as a smartphone ringtone. By using a ringtone that adults couldn't hear in class or at work, they could discreetly check notifications. However, concerns about it potentially causing discomfort to those around or negatively affecting young people's hearing led to issues regarding its use in public places or at excessive volumes. In the current auditory range test site, high-frequency sounds like the mosquito tone are played to indirectly measure the user's "hearing age," offering an experience where one can gauge the youthfulness of their ears based on whether they can hear it.
Auditory Fatigue
Auditory fatigue refers to a temporary reduction in hearing ability, or the occurrence of tinnitus or a feeling of clogged ears, caused by exposure to loud sounds or prolonged noise. This occurs when the hair cells in the inner ear are overstimulated, and typically recovers within a few hours to several days once exposure to the sound stops. However, chronic exposure to loud noise can irreversibly damage hair cells, leading to permanent hearing loss. In modern society, there are many situations that can cause auditory fatigue, such as listening to music at high volumes with earphones or headphones, loud live concert venues, and noisy environments like construction sites or factories. If an auditory range test reveals that one's "hearing age" is higher than their chronological age (indicating reduced hearing), it's highly possible that accumulated daily auditory fatigue, not just aging, is a contributing factor. Especially for younger individuals with difficulty hearing high frequencies, it's a good opportunity to re-evaluate headphone usage and volume settings. To maintain ear health, preventive measures such as enjoying sound at moderate volumes with breaks, and using earplugs in noisy environments, are important. Understanding auditory fatigue is essential knowledge for protecting one's ears.