Therefore, only the Rinne and the Weber tests will be examined in this article. Although there are quite a few TFTs that were developed prior to the widespread use of audiometers, TFTs other than the Weber and Rinne are not of the same clinical value they were prior to the introduction of audiometers and immittance bridges. Tonndorf and others 10-12 have pointed out the important contribution that TFTs make for clinicians in developing their otologic diagnosis. Carl Croutch, AuD, is an audiologist at Kaiser Permanente Hearing Center in Daly City, Calif. Michael Hall, AuD, is a clinical audiologist who lives in Walnut Creek, Calif, and is now retired from private practice. 4 In an earlier paper, we pointed out some of the potential errors that can result from relying on modern audiometric equipment by itself. 1-6 While some clinicians point out that there is a poor statistical correlation between tuning fork tests and audiometric tests, 7 others have viewed the use of TFTs as being an important adjunct to audiometric testing. In the 100 years prior to the use of electronic diagnostic equipment, clinicians evaluating hearing and ear pathology relied heavily upon TFT. We will also provide a discussion of how to interpret the results, as well as the AC and BC phenomenon that determines the various results seen with these two tests. In this paper, we review the basic principles involved in the use, theory, and interpretation of the Rinne and the Weber. Prior to the introduction of electronic audiological testing equipment, clinicians relied heavily on tuning fork tests (TFT) along with some other rudimentary tests, such as the “Whisper Voice.” Even with all of the electronic and computerized test equipment available today, TFTs play a critical role as an adjunct for clinicians to determine the type of hearing loss in patients.Īlthough some of the TFTs have lost their value, two tests-the Weber and Rinne-have stood the test of time and are still important for clinicians in diagnosing hearing loss. Here is a review of the tests and how to interpret their results.
However, two tuning fork tests-the Rinne and Weber-have stood the test of time and retain their importance for clinicians in diagnosing hearing loss. There may be a natural tendency for dispensing professionals to recoil at the idea of a tuning fork test it seems dusty and archaic in the face of all of our excellent electronic screening options.
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