Rinne's and Weber's tests are bedside tests for hearing that can distinguish conductive from perceptive hearing loss.
Terms:
(1) conductive hearing loss = middle ear
(2) perceptive hearing loss = inner ear, sensorineural
Instrumentation: 512 Hz tuning fork
Weber's test:
(1) Place the vibrating fork in the center of the forehead or on a central incisor.
(2) Ask the patient if the vibration is equal in both ears or is more noticeable in the left or right ears.
Rinne's test:
(1) Place the vibrating fork on the mastoid process and record the time it takes to stop (bone conduction).
(2) Then place the vibrating fork 1 inch from the outer ear and record the time it takes to stop (air conduction).
(3) Normally air conduction is >= 2 times bone conduction (positive test).
(4) Abnormal air conduction is when it is < bone conduction (negative test).
(5) An indeterminate test is when air conduction is > 1 time bone conduction but < 2 times.
Hearing Loss |
Weber's Test |
Rinne's Test |
conductive hearing loss |
same ear |
negative (abnormal) |
perceptive hearing loss |
opposite ear |
positive (normal) |
Hearing Status |
Weber's Test |
Rinne's Test |
normal |
equal in both ears |
positive (normal) both ears |
left conductive loss |
lateralizes to left ear |
negative (abnormal) left ear |
left perceptive loss |
lateralizes to right ear |
positive (normal) left ear |
right conductive loss |
lateralizes to right ear |
negative (abnormal) right ear |
right perceptive loss |
lateralizes to left ear |
positive (normal) right ear |
bilateral conductive loss |
equal in both ears |
negative (abnormal) in both ears |
Specialty: Neurology, Otolaryngology
ICD-10: ,