Rinne

Rinne is a clinical test used in audiology to evaluate the presence of conductive hearing loss. The test is named after Heinrich Adolf Rinne, a German otologist who developed it in 1855.

Procedure

The Rinne test involves the use of a tuning fork to compare air and bone conduction of sound. The tuning fork is struck and placed on the mastoid process to test bone conduction. Then, it is held near the ear to test air conduction. The patient is asked which sound is louder.

Interpretation

In normal hearing, air conduction (AC) is better than bone conduction (BC). This is referred to as a positive Rinne test. If bone conduction is better than air conduction, it is referred to as a negative Rinne test and indicates conductive hearing loss.

Limitations

The Rinne test is not a comprehensive hearing test. It can only determine if a hearing loss is conductive or sensorineural. It cannot determine the degree of hearing loss or differentiate between different types of sensorineural hearing loss.

See also

• Weber test
• Audiometry
• Hearing loss

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