Final answer:
The vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII) is tested using tuning forks and balance tests due to its role in hearing and balance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cranial nerve that can be tested with tuning forks and balance tests is the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII). This nerve is responsible for transmitting both equilibrium and auditory sensations from the inner ear to the brain, making it essential for hearing and balance.
The Weber test is an example of a hearing test using a tuning fork to evaluate the laterality of hearing loss, helping to differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Balance tests, such as the Romberg test, can assess the vestibular system, which is part of the vestibulocochlear nerve's function.
Problems with balance, such as vertigo, or deficits in hearing can both indicate issues with the vestibulocochlear nerve. The nerve transduces sound waves and balance-related signals into neural signals that reach the medulla through the bony labyrinth of the inner ear.