Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The Rinne test is a hearing assessment that compares air conduction to bone conduction of sound. It involves placing a vibrating tuning fork against the mastoid bone and then near the ear canal to determine which is heard longer.
Related terms
Air Conduction: The process of sound waves traveling through the air into the ear canal, eardrum, middle ear, and inner ear.
Bone Conduction: The transmission of sound vibrations through the bones of the skull to the inner ear, bypassing the outer and middle ear.
Another hearing test that uses a tuning fork to determine unilateral (one-sided) hearing loss by placing it on the center of the forehead or top of the head