Which test compares air conduction to bone conduction to detect conductive loss?

Which test compares air conduction to bone conduction to detect conductive loss?

• A. Rinne
• B. Weber
• C. Stenger
• D. Caloric

Answer: (A)

The Rinne test compares air conduction to bone conduction to detect conductive loss. By striking a tuning fork and placing it first on the mastoid (bone) and then beside the ear canal (air), you see which pathway keeps the sound audible longer. In a normal ear or with sensorineural loss, air conduction is better, so the sound is heard again in front of the ear (AC > BC). If conductive loss is present, the air-conduction pathway is impaired, and bone conduction becomes relatively louder, so the sound is heard longer on the bone than at the ear canal (BC > AC). The other tests don’t directly compare air versus bone conduction: Weber helps with lateralization, Stenger checks for nonorganic loss, and Caloric testing assesses vestibular function.

The Rinne test compares air conduction to bone conduction to detect conductive loss. By striking a tuning fork and placing it first on the mastoid (bone) and then beside the ear canal (air), you see which pathway keeps the sound audible longer. In a normal ear or with sensorineural loss, air conduction is better, so the sound is heard again in front of the ear (AC > BC). If conductive loss is present, the air-conduction pathway is impaired, and bone conduction becomes relatively louder, so the sound is heard longer on the bone than at the ear canal (BC > AC). The other tests don’t directly compare air versus bone conduction: Weber helps with lateralization, Stenger checks for nonorganic loss, and Caloric testing assesses vestibular function.