[nehcrow]

I'm only 18, nearly 19 years old.
I've always listened to music at a reasonable volume I think but I've listened to music for extended sessions (at a least a few hours, possibly up to maybe 8 hours a day or something)
I've done a few online hearing tests and I just found out I can only hear up to 13khz. I'm really worried I've done permanent damage to my hearing
I should be worried at this point, right? I mean hearing up to 13 khz does not sound normal at my age...
Really annoyed at myself... Then I hear cases of people listening to music at massive volumes and going to concerts all the time yet still hearing up to 20 khz, I feel really unlucky as I've never abused my ears in this way.
 

 

[MorbidToaster]

Have you gotten them cleaned properly at any time in your life? That could be part of the problem. 13khz does seem worrying as most older people I know round off at about 16khz. 
 
How did you actually do the test? Doctor? Or was it a 'self test'?

 

[nehcrow]

Damn, it seems that everyone doctor I talk to says as long as the frequency range used for speech perception is normal (mine is fine), then everything is fine
Annoying that nobody cares about the higher frequencies :\

 

[Taowolf51]

I'd do an official test before getting worried, your headphones may have rounded off highs which is impacting the test.
 
I'd go to an audiologist, get the test done, and talk to him.

 

[nehcrow]

Problem is the audiologists I've been use equipment that only test up 8000 khz (maybe 12000hz)
 
Is it really that much of an issue only hearing up 13khz?

 

[Taowolf51]

Depends, you may have a very fulfilling audio experience. 13Khz is a bit low for critical listening, especially in the highs, but it's a pretty high tone when comparing it to most music, though.
What headphones/speakers did you do the test with?

 

[nehcrow]

Alessandro MS-Pro (Modified Grado RS-1i), doubt it's equipment's fault
Thanks, Taowolf51.. as long as I can still appreciate my music and equipment fully I'll be happy
I'm having a hard time believing the damage is caused by noise exposure though :\ Hmm... I mean I really only got into audio 3 years ago, how much damage really could I have done.

 

[Taowolf51]

It may be, it seems the RS1i's have a drop after 10kHz:

 
 
I do wish headroom marked how many Hz the right end was.
 
Do you have anything else you could try it with? Just to be absolutely sure.

 

[streetdragon]

most headphones roll off after 10 khz until about 12-14 khz before rising again
based on estimation the halfway mark between 10khz and 20khz in should be about 12.8 khz. and only pick up to normal levels at 20khz+

just giving my 2 cents if it helps in anyway possible

 

[Taowolf51]

Quote:

most headphones roll off after 10 khz until about 12-14 khz before rising again
based on estimation the halfway mark between 10khz and 20khz in should be about 12.8 khz. and only pick up to normal levels at 20khz+

just giving my 2 cents if it helps in anyway possible

Oh I know, and that's why most headphones aren't the best for this test. Normally hearing tests are done with special headphones that don't have as much of a drop, since the drop would skew the test.
Though if people with headphones with a big drop like the OP's can still hear up to pretty high levels, then there would be something to his potential hearing issues. My headphone doesn't drop much, though, so I can't compare my experience to his:

 

[dscythe]

Quote:

Have you gotten them cleaned properly at any time in your life? That could be part of the problem. 13khz does seem worrying as most older people I know round off at about 16khz. 
 
How did you actually do the test? Doctor? Or was it a 'self test'?

Curious as to what you mean by this, is there actually a procedure that you can schedule or something?

 

[Taowolf51]

Quote:

Curious as to what you mean by this, is there actually a procedure that you can schedule or something?

 
Yeah, doctors irrigate your ears with high pressure warm salt water.

 

[dscythe]

Quote:

 
Yeah, doctors irrigate your ears with high pressure warm salt water.

woah, does it actually make a difference?

 

[Taowolf51]

I've never had it done, but apparently it does a great job and brings out more wax than you think would fit in your ears.

 

[MorbidToaster]

Mine absolutely allow me to hear better when recently cleaned. Mine get bad enough to nearly deafen me when not cleaned regularly. 
 
Quote:

woah, does it actually make a difference?