Hearing Tests: Weber and Rinne Tests

Importance

• High yield topic for distinguishing between sensory neural and conductive hearing loss.
• Frequently appears on tests despite limited coverage in some study materials.

Hearing System Overview

• Ears depicted as Mickey Mouse ears.
• Components:
  • Blue ear canal
  • Red ossicles
  • Green cochlea
• Two conduction methods:
  • Air Conduction: Sound moves through air to the ear.
  • Bone Conduction: Sound waves move through bones directly to the cochlea.

Normal Hearing Conditions

• Air conduction is greater than bone conduction.

The Rinne Test

• Mnemonic: "Rinne under the pinna (penny)".
• Procedure:
  • Strike a tuning fork and place it against the mastoid process (bone conduction).
  • Move it outside the ear (air conduction).
• Normal Result: Air conduction is greater than bone conduction.
• Conductive Hearing Loss: Better hearing via bone conduction.

The Weber Test

• Mnemonic: "Weber it is right or left".
• Procedure:
  • Strike a tuning fork and place it on the top of the head.
• Normal Result: Sound is heard equally in both ears.
• Sensory Neural Hearing Loss: Sound localizes to the good ear.

Example Scenario

• Rinne Test:
  • Tuning fork on mastoid, then moved outside both ears.
  • Patient hears better in the air: normal result.
• Weber Test:
  • Tuning fork on head.
  • Patient hears better in right ear.
  • Indicates sensory neural hearing loss in the left ear.

Summary

• Rinne Test: Tests for conductive hearing loss. "Rinne under the pinna (penny)".
• Weber Test: Tests for sensory neural hearing loss. "Weber it is right or left".
• Key to understanding the purpose of each test for accurate diagnosis.

Recommendation

• Review the material to ensure understanding.
• These tests are straightforward and can provide easy points on test day if well understood.