Rinne test
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Procedure
- a vibrating tuning fork (> 500 Hz) is placed on the mastoid process
- when the perceived sound subsides, the fork is placed close to the ear canal, without restriking.
Interpretation
- normally, the sound can be heard via air conduction for twice as long as via bone conduction (+ Rinne test)
- with conductive hearing loss, the ratio becomes closer to 1:1, or less but ONLY when conductive hearing loss becomes moderate, not mild (- Rinne test)[3]
- with mild conductive hearing loss* or sensorineural hearing loss, the ratio of air conduction to bone conduction remains normal at 2:1. (+ Rinne test)*
* the most likely cause of conductive hearing loss in nursing home residents is cerumen impactation & the conductive hearing loss is mild[3]
* audiogram interpretation of the air conduction/bone conduction ratio differs from the Rinne test such that with sensorineural hearing loss both air conduction & bone conduction are equally depressed at the same point on the audiogram[4]
More general terms
Additional terms
References
- ↑ Saunders Manual of Medical Practice, Rakel (ed), WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1996, pg 43, 1071
- ↑ Guide to Physical Examination & History Taking, 6th edition, Bates B, JB Lippincott, Philadelphia, 1995, pg 182
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 NEJM Knowledge+ Otolaryngology
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Geriatric Review Syllabus, 11th edition (GRS11) Harper GM, Lyons WL, Potter JF (eds) American Geriatrics Society, 2022