Some tuning fork tests revisited

The Weber, Rinne and Bing tests were examined in normally hearing and hearing impaired subjects, using different techniques. The Weber test was found to be most sensitive and reliable with the tuning fork stem placed on the upper incisors. The Rinne tests showed a transition point from Rinne positive to negative at 19 dB when performed using the normal loudness comparison technique and at 24 dB with a threshold comparison technique. The Bing test with the tuning fork placed either on the mastoid or the vertex showed a transition point from Bing positive to negative at approximately 9 dB air-bone gap.