[The importance of tuning forks]

Turning fork tests are used routinely by many otologists. A different group of otologists find the tests inconsistent and unreliable. This controversy has probably developed because the audiometer has replaced the tuning fork in hearing measurement. Some principles of the Weber- and Rinne-tuning fork test are shortly described. The necessary control of pure tone audiometry by tuning forks is pointed out. The value particularly in the diagnosis of conductive hearing loss, and the tuning fork's limitations are discussed.