
05/09/2025
Children generally have much sharper hearing than older adults. Here’s why:
• Full frequency range: Healthy children can usually hear sounds between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz.
• Age-related decline: By the time someone reaches their 60s, it’s common to lose the ability to hear very high-pitched sounds (above 8,000–12,000 Hz). This is called presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss.
• Sensitivity: Children are also more sensitive to subtle differences in sound, which helps with language development, music, and distinguishing voices.
• Gradual change: The decline often starts as early as the 30s or 40s but becomes more noticeable with age.