A tuning fork is a device that produces sound at a specific frequency when struck. It consists of a pair of prongs and a handle, and is composed of metals such as aluminum, magnesium and steel. The specific alloy of the tuning fork and its size determine the particular frequency of sound that it produces. A tuning fork is commonly used for hearing tests such as the Rinne test and the Weber test.
Step 1
Perform the Rinne test to detect conductive hearing loss. Hold the tuning fork by the handle and strike it gently against a solid object. The tuning fork will begin vibrating and should emit a tone at the tuning fork's designated frequency. A tuning fork used for hearing tests should vibrate at 256 Hertz (Hz) or 512 Hz.
Step 2
Hold the vibrating tuning fork against the bone behind your ear until you can no longer hear the tone. This part of the Rinne test is the control and measures your ability to hear sound through bone conduction.
Step 3
Move the still vibrating tuning fork immediately to your ear. The tuning fork should be as close to your ear as possible without actually touching it.
Step 4
Interpret the results of the Rinne test. A positive result for the Rinne test occurs when you can still hear the tuning fork through your ear after it's no longer audible through bone conduction. A positive Rinne test indicates normal hearing. A negative result for the Rinne test occurs if you can't hear the tuning fork through your ear after it's no longer audible through bone conduction. A negative Rinne test can indicate conductive hearing loss.
Step 5
Perform the Weber test. Strike the tuning fork and place it near the midline of your forehead without actually touching your forehead. You may have an asymmetric hearing loss if the sound is louder in one ear.
Step 6
Use a tuning fork to tune a musical instrument. Strike the tuning fork and adjust the corresponding note on your musical instrument by ear until it's the same pitch as the tuning fork. You'll need to know the exact pitch of the tuning fork for this use. A tuning fork used for this purpose typically has a frequency of 440 Hz, also known as concert A.
Things You'll Need
- Tuning fork
