What frequency tuning fork is commonly used in the Weber test?

The Weber test is a clinical test used to assess hearing loss in patients and is typically performed using a tuning fork of a specific frequency. The frequency commonly used in the Weber test is 512 Hz. This frequency strikes an effective balance between being low enough to elicit a response from both the conductive and sensorineural components of hearing while also being high enough to be perceptible to most individuals.

Using a tuning fork at this frequency allows the clinician to determine where the sound is being perceived: in one ear or the other, or equally in both ears. This ability to distinguish between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss is vital in diagnosing the patient’s condition and guiding further management decisions.