Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What is the main purpose of the Rinne test?

1. Test air and bone conduction of sound

2. Assess balance and coordination

3. Evaluate taste sensation

4. Test facial muscle strength

The correct answer is: Test air and bone conduction of sound

The Rinne test is primarily designed to assess hearing by comparing air conduction to bone conduction of sound. During this test, a tuning fork is placed on the mastoid bone (bone conduction) and then moved in front of the ear canal (air conduction). The main purpose here is to determine whether air conduction is better than bone conduction, which is indicative of normal hearing or conductive hearing loss. If a person can hear the sound conducted through air longer than through the bone, it suggests that their auditory pathway is functioning properly. Conversely, if bone conduction is better than air conduction, it may indicate a conductive hearing impairment. This test is essential in differentiating types of hearing loss, making it a fundamental component of audiological assessments in clinical practice.