Which test compares bone conduction and air conduction?

• A. Weber test.
• B. Rinne test.
• C. Audiogram.
• D. Romberg test.

Answer: (B)

Rinne testing directly compares air conduction with bone conduction to evaluate hearing. To perform it, strike a tuning fork and place its base on the mastoid bone (bone conduction) until the sound is no longer heard, then move the fork near the ear canal (air conduction). If the sound is heard again near the ear, air conduction is greater than bone conduction—this is a positive Rinne and suggests normal hearing or sensorineural loss. If the sound is heard only on the bone and not when placed by the ear, bone conduction is greater than air conduction—this indicates conductive hearing loss. The Weber test and audiogram assess hearing in other ways, and Romberg tests balance rather than hearing.