Category
Diagnostic
Typical Use
Assess hearing and bone conduction; vibratory sensation.
Description
A metal fork that produces a fixed frequency tone when struck, used in clinical tests such as Rinne and Weber to differentiate conductive from sensorineural hearing loss and to assess vibratory sensation in neurologic examinations. Tuning forks of different frequencies (commonly 128 Hz and 512 Hz) are selected based on the test purpose; proper placement on the mastoid or forehead and comparison to air conduction are required for accurate interpretation. The tuning fork is a low cost, portable tool that complements audiometry and neurologic testing but has limitations in sensitivity and specificity compared with formal audiologic evaluation. Clinical findings should prompt referral for comprehensive audiology testing when indicated.