Rinne test - Michelle

The Rinne test (pronounced /ˈrɪnÉ™/ RIN-É™) is a hearing test.  It compares perception of sounds, as transmitted by air or by bone conduction through the mastoid. Thus, one can quickly suspect conductive hearing loss.

A Rinne test should always be accompanied by a Weber test to also detect sensorineural hearing loss and thus confirm the nature of hearing loss.

Procedure

The Rinne test is performed by placing a vibrating tuning fork (512 or 256 Hz) initially on the mastoid process until sound is no longer heard, the fork is then immediately placed just outside the ear. Normally, the sound is audible at the ear.

Air conduction uses the apparatus of the ear (pinna, eardrum and ossicles) to amplify and direct the sound whereas bone conduction bypasses some or all of these and allows the sound to be transmitted directly to the inner ear albeit at a reduced volume, or via the bones of the skull to the opposite ear.