Talks to Watch

20Hz to 20kHz (Human Audio Spectrum)

46.9M views · Oct 2, 2012 · 2:24 · 0 HN recommenders · 4 mentions · discussed 2016–2025

A two-minute sine tone sweeping exponentially from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, covering the human hearing range at constant acoustic pressure.

Why Hacker News points people here: Used as a quick hearing-range test and as a tone source for tinnitus experiments.

What Hacker News said 4

Cites itbrian-armstrongMar 2016

“a youtube that runs 20Hz-20kHz”

Frequency sweep to test your own hearing range.

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Depends on the person. Personally, I can't hear much above 14kHz. Here's a youtube that runs 20Hz-20kHz if you'd like to check for yourself this video

in “Show HN: Libquiet – transmit data using sound” · view on HN
Cites itjanmoDec 2023

“listening to a tone at the specific frequency of their Tinnitus”

Tone for testing tinnitus residual inhibition.

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Most people having a peeep tone tinnitus including myself can experience complete silence for a few seconds (up to 30) by listening to a tone at the specific frequency of their Tinnitus. For example listen to the following, at a level that it isn't uncomfortable and your Tinnitus might be gone for a short time: this video This is called residual inhibition. You can Google "tinnitus residual inhibition" and find many papers about it. Benzodiazepines work also very well in some cases, when taking them I have no Tinnitus at all, but that's ABSOLUTELY NOT a viable long term solution because of the long term negative effects. I am not sure about this paper, but what I've read and believe the most is that the Tinnitus is caused by neurons in the brain, that have lost nerve input signals from the ear (due to hearing loss, nerve damage etc..), and start to emit parasite signals. Benzodiazepines reduce the brain activity thus reducing/silencing the tinnitus. Residual inhibition seems to work by stimulating the region where the hearing loss has occurred, the neurons responsible for the Tinnitus all the sudden get stimulated and stop emitting noise signals for a few dozens of seconds then resume. But so far there is still a lot of research to be done and we are decades away from a cure that is SAFE enough. Benzos work but are just not worth it, this is like fighting back pain with opoids. Until then I think it is best to protect our hearing, you can buy custom made earplugs which are comfo

in “Tinnitus Linked to Undetected Auditory Nerve Damage – A Step Towards a Cure” · view on HN
Cites ithackernewdsDec 2023

“YouTube video that does the same thing”

Free alternative to a paid tinnitus tone service.

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why do you need this paid service? seems they're monetizing 1 audio clip here's a YouTube video that does the same thing this video

in “Tinnitus Linked to Undetected Auditory Nerve Damage – A Step Towards a Cure” · view on HN
Cites itjanmoOct 2025

“listen to this beep tone from 8 to 12 KHZ”

Beep tone sweep that temporarily reduces tinnitus.

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The only way to temporarely get rid of my tinnitus (completely gone or at least very reduced for up to 30 seconds) is to listen to this beep tone from 8 to 12 KHZ: this video apparently the phenomenon is called residual inhibition. If only there was a way to make this work permanently...