Tuning Fork

Question 1

Why use a tuning fork? What is its frequency?

Answer 1

Inexpensive, light and portable way to establish a PROBABLE presence of a significant conductive element to hearing loss.
Limited to frequency of tuning fork - 512hZ

Question 2

What are the two tests undertaken with a tuning fork?

Answer 2

WEBER and RINNE tests

Question 3

What is the process to conduct a Weber test?

Answer 3

Strike TF correctly
Place into centre of forehead
Hold for up to 4 secs
Where did they hear it? Centre, left or right?

Question 4

What are the results from a Weber test?

Answer 4

CENTRAL: normal hearing or an equal loss (SN, conductive or mixed)

Heard in BETTER ear: unilateral SN loss in other ear or asymmetrical SN loss

Heard in WORSE ear: unilateral conductive loss or asymmetrical conductive loss

Question 5

What is the process for the RINNE test:

Answer 5

Strike fork accurately
Hold for 2 seconds 2.5cm from canal
Without delay place on Mastoid bone for 2 seconds
Ask if louder at front or from behind

Question 6

Possible results from RINNE test?

Answer 6

In front = POSITIVE as AC better than BC

Behind = NEGATIVE as BC better than AC

Question 7

What outcomes can we conclude from the RINNE results?

Answer 7

POSITIVE: normal hearing or SN losses

NEGATIVE: conductive loss

FALSE NEGATIVE: with severe/profound HL, sound maybe heard by BC due to cross hearing in the opposite ear - shown as BC result on poor ear.