diff --git a/src/wavesurfer.js b/src/wavesurfer.js
index da847e750..753755ba0 100755
--- a/src/wavesurfer.js
+++ b/src/wavesurfer.js
@@ -238,6 +238,13 @@ var WaveSurfer = {
         this.backend.setPlaybackRate(rate);
     },
 
+    /**
+     * Get the playback rate.
+     */
+    getPlaybackRate: function () {
+        return this.backend.getPlaybackRate();
+    },
+
     /**
      * Toggle the volume on and off. It not currenly muted it will
      * save the current volume value and turn the volume off.