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Spectral analysis of tuning fork generated tones
Author(s) -
Reiter David
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-198208000-00002
Subject(s) - tuning fork , tone (literature) , fork (system call) , acoustics , signal (programming language) , distortion (music) , computer science , audiology , physics , telecommunications , medicine , amplifier , art , bandwidth (computing) , vibration , programming language , operating system , literature
Tuning forks have been used as clinical pure tone generators since the middle of the nineteenth century. The development of electronic signal sources has fostered innumerable advances in audiologic diagnosis, yet the tuning fork remains in daily use by thousands of physicians, for rapid and reliable screening of auditory acuity. This study examines tuning forks as oscillators, determining harmonic distortion with real‐time spectral analysis. Various methods of striking the instrument are compared, with regard to harmonic distortion and sound pressure level generated. Tuning forks are, thus, compared to their electronic counterparts for the first time in the literature. Gentle striking of a steel, 256 Hz. fork on the thenar eminence produces tones comparable in purity to those generated by ANSI‐calibrated audiometers. Similar results were obtained with forks of higher frequency; however, careful use of light aluminum alloy forks may produce equally satisfactory results.