What do hearing loss and tinnitus sound like? At the bottom of this page, there are several sound files which you can play to get a simulation of what it’s like to suffer from hearing loss and tinnitus.
By clicking on the sound files below, people with normal hearing can get an impression of how music sounds for a hearing-impaired person. The first sound is at ‘normal level’, and then the intensity of the following sounds have been reduced in relation to this ‘normal’ level.
The examples show how sound may be experienced by a person who suffers from conductive or sensorineural hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss refers to hearing loss which occurs in the outer and middle ear, as sound waves are conducted form the outside. Sensorineural hearing loss happens in the inner ear,and is associated with nerve damage.
Of course, these are just simulations — hearing loss may well sound differently for different people. The way it sounds to a hearing-impaired individual will depend on the type and degree of the hearing loss.
You can also hear some simulated examples of what tinnitus sounds like. Tinnitus is often called “ringing in the brain”, and is an internal perception of sound. However, tinnitus can present in many different ways (e.g., ringing, clicking or humming), and can be more or less intense with different people. So please remember that the simulations are just some examples of what tinnitus may sound like. The sounds you’ll hear also depend on the quality of your computer equipment.
Please note: You cannot use these sound files to test your own hearing. And you cannot test your own hearing on the Internet. To test your hearing properly, you should visit your family doctor or a hearing health care professional.
