Tuning Fork Test to Check for Reversible Hearing Loss

There are two types of hearing loss... hearing loss due to nerve damage (permanent) vs reversible conductive hearing loss (not permanent). Reversible conductive hearing loss can be due to conditions like a hole in the eardrum, earwax, or middle ear fluid which do require both an exam and formal hearing test. Of note, online hearing tests perform only an air conduction test. A formal hearing test would also include a bone conduction test. Watch a video to further understand how hearing works overall.

That said, the easiest way to determine whether you have a reversible conductive hearing loss from home is to perform the Rinne Tuning Fork Test. Of course, you do need a C 512Hz tuning fork in order to perform this easy test. The video below demonstrates how to perform the Rinne and Weber Tuning Fork Tests.