[Physical diagnostic procedures: whispered speech and tuning fork test]

Hearing impairment occurs in 10% of the Dutch population and may lead to major communication problems and even social isolation. A good method to detect hearing loss in a general practice is the screening audiometer. The treating physician may further use the whispered speech test and tuning fork tests which together give a good impression of the severity and the nature of the hearing loss if any. The whispered speech test is best performed in the standardized form according to the guideline 'Slechthorendheid' [hardness of hearing] of the Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG), in which certain combinations of letters are recommended. The tuning fork tests according to Rinne and Weber indicate a difference in perception and conduction deafness, and are decisive for any hearing asymmetry. Use of the whispered speech test and of the tuning fork tests is recommended for adults and children from the age of 7.