How the Audio Reaction Test Works
Four quick steps, about two minutes in total. Turn your volume up first.
Start
Click the box above or press Space. Make sure your sound is on.
Listen
The box does not change. After a random delay of 1.5 to 5 seconds, you will hear a short beep.
Click
Click, tap or press Space the moment you hear it. Clicking before the beep counts as too early.
See your score
Get your last, best and average time, then compare it with your visual reaction time.
Sound vs Sight, Which Is Faster?
Most people react a little faster to a sound than to a light.
Why sound is quicker
Sound signals reach the brain faster than visual signals, which need extra processing in the eye. In a study of 120 medical students, reaction time to a sound was faster than to a light for both men and women.
Compare both tests
Take this audio test and the visual reaction test back to back. Many people find their audio average is a few dozen milliseconds faster. Read more in visual vs auditory reaction time.
Why it matters
Sprinters start on a gun, gamers react to footsteps and drivers react to horns. Your auditory reaction time is a big part of real-world speed.
Your device matters
Speakers, wired headphones and Bluetooth headphones all add different delays. Bluetooth can add a noticeable lag, so use wired headphones or built-in speakers for the fairest score.
What Is a Good Audio Reaction Time?
Your rating uses the same scale as our visual test, so you can compare the two directly.
Because sound is processed faster, many people land in a higher rating band on the audio test than on the visual one. Scores much slower than your visual result often point to device or headphone delay rather than slow hearing.
For the most stable average, do at least 10 rounds in a quiet room. Check where you stand on our reaction time benchmarks, and if your times feel slow, see why your reaction time might be slow.
VoltReflex results are for entertainment and self-benchmarking, not a medical diagnosis or a hearing test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about the audio reaction test.
What is a good audio reaction time?
Most people react a little faster to sound than to light. Your rating uses the same scale as the VoltReflex visual test, so many people land one band higher here. Compare your audio and visual averages taken on the same device for the clearest picture.
Why is my audio reaction time slower than my visual time?
This usually comes from your device, not your ears. Bluetooth headphones, some speakers and busy browsers can add delay before the beep reaches you. Try wired headphones or built-in speakers, close other tabs and test again.
Do I need headphones for the audio test?
No. Built-in speakers work fine. Wired headphones can help in a noisy room. Avoid Bluetooth headphones if you can, since wireless audio can add a noticeable delay to every round.
Is this a hearing test?
No. It measures how fast you respond to a sound you can clearly hear, not how well you hear. If you have concerns about your hearing, speak to a doctor or audiologist.
How many rounds should I do?
Do at least 10 rounds for a stable average. One round can be thrown off by a blink, a distraction or a slow start, so the average of several rounds tells you much more than a single score.