Which test does the nurse use to evaluate bone conduction versus air conduction of sound?

The Rinne test is used to evaluate and compare air conduction and bone conduction of sound. In this test, a tuning fork is struck and placed first on the mastoid bone behind the ear (to assess bone conduction) and then moved in front of the ear canal (to assess air conduction). The patient indicates when they can no longer hear the sound.

Typically, air conduction is expected to last longer than bone conduction in healthy individuals, reflecting the normal functioning of the auditory system. If bone conduction is better than air conduction, it may indicate a conductive hearing loss. The test helps to determine the type of hearing loss a patient may have, making it a crucial tool in audiological assessments.

In contrast, other tests mentioned serve different purposes. The Weber test helps pinpoint the type of hearing loss but does not compare the duration of sound perception through air and bone conduction like the Rinne test does. Tympanometry assesses the movement of the tympanic membrane and the condition of the middle ear but does not measure the types of sound conduction. The "Chirp test" is not a standard audiological test and does not evaluate sound conduction in the same manner. Thus, the Rinne test is the appropriate choice for assessing bone and air conduction of sound