Physical Assessment: Rinné Test

Rinné Test is a hearing test that evaluates the client's capacity to hear through air conduction and bone conduction 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. The client should be able to hear in both tuning fork positions. In a normal ear, air conduction is better than bone conduction. Conductive hearing loss, bone conduction is greater than air conduction while sensorineural hearing loss both air and bone conduction are depreciated.