Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Which test involves placing a tuning fork on the forehead to assess hearing?

1. Weber test

2. Rinne test

3. Tympanogram

4. Audiogram

The correct answer is: Weber test

The test that involves placing a tuning fork on the forehead to assess hearing is indeed the Weber test. This clinical assessment is used to determine the lateralization of sound perception between the two ears. When the tuning fork is struck and positioned on the center of the forehead, sound vibrations are conducted through the bone to both cochleae simultaneously. In the context of hearing loss, the test helps to differentiate between conductive hearing loss (where sound is heard better in the affected ear) and sensorineural hearing loss (where sound is perceived better in the unaffected ear). Essentially, if the sound lateralizes toward one ear, it provides clues about the type of hearing loss present. This distinction is important for clinical diagnosis and management of hearing issues. The other tests mentioned serve different functions: the Rinne test compares air conduction and bone conduction; a tympanogram assesses middle ear function; and an audiogram measures the range and sensitivity of hearing across different frequencies. Each of these tests has its role in evaluating auditory function, but for assessing lateralization using a tuning fork on the forehead, the Weber test is the appropriate choice.