What is the purpose of the Rinne Test?

The purpose of the Rinne Test is to compare sound conduction through bone versus air, making the choice relating to sound conduction the most accurate. In the Rinne Test, a tuning fork is struck and placed on the mastoid bone behind the ear (bone conduction), then moved in front of the ear (air conduction) once the patient can no longer hear the sound from the bone conduction. This test helps in diagnosing the type of hearing loss a patient may have.

When sound travels through the air, it typically reaches the cochlea more efficiently than through bone due to the physical properties of sound transmission. If a patient hears the sound longer through air conduction than bone conduction, it indicates normal or sensorineural hearing. Conversely, if the bone conduction sound is heard longer than the air conduction sound, this could suggest conductive hearing loss. Therefore, the primary goal of the Rinne Test is to differentiate between these types of hearing loss based on how sound is conducted through different mediums, providing valuable diagnostic information.