Rinne test - A hearing test using a vibrating tuning fork which is held near the ear and held at the back of the skull. Mastoid process - The protrusions of bone behind the ears at the base of the skull. One Prince St., Alexandria VA 22314-3357. Resources ORGANIZATIONSĪmerican Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. The volume of sound vibrations conducted through parts of the skull and face in the Weber test can indicate which ear may have a hearing loss. The Rinne test detects a hearing loss when a patient hears a louder and longer tone when the vibrating tuning fork is held against the mastoid bone than when it is held next to the ear. For the Weber test, the tone produced when the tuning fork is placed along the center of the skull, or face, sounds about the same volume in each ear. With the Rinne test, a person will hear the tone of the vibration longer and louder when the tuning fork is held next to the ear, rather than when it is held against the mastoid bone. There are no risks associated with the use of tuning forks to screen for hearing loss. If hearing loss is revealed during testing with tuning forks, the patient may require further testing to determine the extent of the hearing loss. No special preparation is required for a hearing test with tuning forks. Tuning forks of different sizes produce different frequencies of vibrations and can be used to establish the range of hearing for an individual patient. The patient is then asked to identify which ear hears the sound created by the vibrations. For this test, the stem or handle of the vibrating tuning fork is placed at various points along the midline of the skull and face. A second hearing test using a tuning fork is the Weber test. The patient is asked to determine which sound is louder, the sound heard through the bone or through the air. It is also held next to, but not touching, the ear, to cause vibrations in the air next to the ear. In the Rinne test, the vibrating tuning fork is held against the skull, usually on the bone behind the ear (mastoid process) to cause vibrations through the bones of the skull and inner ear. Two types of hearing tests with tuning forks are typically conducted. No special precautions are necessary when tuning forks are used to conduct a hearing test. PurposeĪ vibrating tuning fork held next to the ear or placed against the skull will stimulate the inner ear to vibrate, and can help determine if there is hearing loss. The vibrations produced can be used to assess a person's ability to hear various sound frequencies. Tuning forks, made of steel, aluminum, or magnesium-alloy will vibrate at a set frequency to produce a musical tone when struck. Early identification of a problem allows you to get early treatment, which in some cases can prevent total hearing loss.Hearing Tests with a Tuning Fork DefinitionĪ tuning fork is a metal instrument with a handle and two prongs or tines. Ongoing exposure to loud noises and aging are common reasons for this type of hearing loss.ĭoctors use both Rinne and Weber tests to evaluate your hearing. This includes the auditory nerve, hair cells in the inner ear, and other parts of the cochlea. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there’s damage to any part of the specialized nervous system of the ear. damage to the small bones within the middle ear.This can be caused by problems in the ear canal, eardrum, or middle ear, such as: Bone conduction hearing occurs through vibrations picked up by the ear’s specialized nervous system.Ī Weber test is another way to evaluate conductive and sensorineural hearing losses.Ĭonductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves are unable to pass through the middle ear to the inner ear. Air conduction hearing occurs through air near the ear, and it involves the ear canal and eardrum. This determination allows a doctor to come up with a treatment plan for your hearing changes.Ī Rinne test evaluates hearing loss by comparing air conduction to bone conduction. They help determine whether you may have conductive or sensorineural hearing loss. Rinne and Weber tests are exams that test for hearing loss.
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