Step I Rinne Test

[MudPhud20XX]

Here is what Kaplan neuroanatomy says:

Rinne Test: place tuning fork on mastoid process (bone conduction) until vibration is not heard, then place fork in front of ear (air conduction).

- If unilateral conductive loss --> no air conduction after bone conduction is gone

- If unilateral sensorineal loss --> air conduction present after bone conduction is gone

My questions:
1. So what would be the normal respond?

2. So the basic assumption is that air conduction is better than bone conduction, correct?

3. What do you exactly mean by "sensorineal loss?" Is it just the sensory ability to hear sound?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[sazerac]

Here is what Kaplan neuroanatomy says:

Rinne Test: place tuning fork on mastoid process (bone conduction) until vibration is not heard, then place fork in front of ear (air conduction).

- If unilateral conductive loss --> no air conduction after bone conduction is gone

- If unilateral sensorineal loss --> air conduction present after bone conduction is gone

My questions:
1. So what would be the normal respond?

2. So the basic assumption is that air conduction is better than bone conduction, correct?

3. What do you exactly mean by "sensorineal loss?" Is it just the sensory ability to hear sound?

Many thanks in advance.

1. In the non-pathological case, air conduction > bone conduction. This is also true in sensorineural loss. This is NOT the case with conduction loss (ear wax stuck in ear).

2. Yes, air > bone in normal individuals.

3. Sensorineural loss means damage to the hearing nerves, as opposed to having a mardi-gras bead stuck in an ear.