Mosquito Tone Audibility Test

Background

Frequency-wise, our hearing ability ranges from 20 Hz up to 20,000 Hz (please refer to our High Frequency Response Hearing Test to give your hearing ability a test). As we get older, the 20 kHz upper limit decreases: this phenomenon is medically known as presbycusis. Therefore, it is possible to generate high frequencies that are audible only to teenagers. Since these high pitched sounds are uncomfortable to withstand, they can be used - for example - to repel loitering teenagers in the street.

The test files

A -3dbFS steady sine tone at 17.4 kHz and its modulated version, oscillating between 17 kHz and 20 kHz, 3 times per second.

If you hear any of these two mosquito sounds, you will then be repelled by security products like the Mosquito. Lucky you! This indeed means you either are young or your ears are still in very good condition!

Related pages

Other High Frequency Tests

• High Frequency Response Hearing Test
• High Frequency Audibility Blind Test

External Links

• The Mosquito @ Wikipedia
• Presbycusis
• Frequency Range of Human Hearing
• Ultra-sonic Ringtones