Saturday, May 28, 2011

Rinne and Weber tests

RINNE TEST: The Rinne test is performed by placing a vibrating tuning fork (512 or 256 Hz) initially on the mastoid process until sound is no longer heard, the fork is then immediately placed just outside the ear.

In a normal ear, air conduction (AC) is better than bone conduction (BC)
AC > BC, and this is called a positive Rinne.

In conductive hearing loss, bone conduction is better than air
BC > AC, a negative Rinne.

WEBER'S TEST: In the Weber test a tuning fork (either 256 or 512 Hz) is struck and the stem of the fork is placed on the top of the patient's skull - equal distance from the patient's ears, in the middle of the forehead - equal distance from the patient's ears or above the upper lip over the teeth. The patient is asked to report in which ear the sound is heard louder.
Weber without lateralization & Rinne both ears AC>BC = Normal hearing.


HOW TO USE THE TESTS:

Weber Lateralizes Left & Rinne both ears AC > BC = senorinerual loss Right ear

Weber Lateralizes Right & Rinne both ears AC > BC = sensorineural loss Left ear



Rinne Left BC>AC & Weber's lateralized to the left = conductive loss on the left

Rinne Right BC>AC & Weber's lateralized to the right = conductive loss on the right