In a Rinne test for conductive hearing loss, which finding is expected?

In a Rinne test for conductive hearing loss, which finding is expected?

• A. Air conduction greater than bone conduction
• B. Air conduction equal to bone conduction
• C. No conduction
• D. Bone conduction greater than air conduction

Answer: (D)

Rinne testing compares air conduction to bone conduction to identify where hearing transmission is impeded. In conductive hearing loss, the problem lies in the external or middle ear, so air-conducted sound is blocked before it reaches the inner ear. Bone conduction bypasses that blocked pathway by vibrating the skull and stimulating the inner ear directly, so it is heard better. Therefore, the tuning fork is heard via bone conduction more than via air conduction. In normal ears or with sensorineural loss, air conduction is heard better than bone conduction.

Rinne testing compares air conduction to bone conduction to identify where hearing transmission is impeded. In conductive hearing loss, the problem lies in the external or middle ear, so air-conducted sound is blocked before it reaches the inner ear. Bone conduction bypasses that blocked pathway by vibrating the skull and stimulating the inner ear directly, so it is heard better. Therefore, the tuning fork is heard via bone conduction more than via air conduction. In normal ears or with sensorineural loss, air conduction is heard better than bone conduction.