In sensorineural hearing loss, what does the Rinne test show?

In sensorineural hearing loss, what does the Rinne test show?

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

Answer: (A)

Rinne testing compares how sound is delivered to the inner ear: through air via the ear canal or through vibrations of the skull via bone. In sensorineural hearing loss, the problem lies in the inner ear or auditory nerve, so both air and bone pathways are diminished, but air conduction remains the more effective route. That means the person will hear the tuning fork longer when it is held next to the ear than when it is placed on the mastoid. In other words, air conduction is greater than bone conduction.

Rinne testing compares how sound is delivered to the inner ear: through air via the ear canal or through vibrations of the skull via bone. In sensorineural hearing loss, the problem lies in the inner ear or auditory nerve, so both air and bone pathways are diminished, but air conduction remains the more effective route. That means the person will hear the tuning fork longer when it is held next to the ear than when it is placed on the mastoid. In other words, air conduction is greater than bone conduction.