Rinne Test
“I’d like you to tell me which position sounds louder: one or two.”
Correct
Incorrect
Position one: air conduction/ parallel to ear canal and within a few centimetres.
Position two: bone conduction (on the mastoid- the bony portion behind the pinna). Ensure you press firmly on the mastoid for it to be accurate.
Normal
AC > BC (pt can hear tuning fork at ear). If the sound is held near the ear canal, it would sound louder than if kept on the mastoid behind the ear.
For typical results, AIR conduction should always be better than bone conduction! If normal, then Rinne's test is POSITIVE.
Conductive Hearing loss
BC > AC (pt will not hear tuning fork at ear);
If bone conduction is better than air conduction, Rinne's test is
NEGATIVE.