8
Diagnosis
Table 3. Recommended Technique for Weber and
Rinne Testing
Weber test Rinne test
1. Vibrate the tuning fork by striking it on
your (covered) elbow or knee, not on a
hard metallic or wooden surface.
1. Vibrate the tuning fork by striking it on
your (covered) elbow or knee, not on a
hard metallic or wooden surface.
2. Place vibrating tuning fork (256 or
512 Hz) at midline of forehead or on
maxillary teeth (not false teeth)
2. Place vibrating tuning fork (256 or
512 Hz) over the mastoid bone of one
ear, then move the tuning fork to the
entrance of the ear canal (not touching
the ear) with the tines directed toward
the ear.
3. Ask where the sound is heard; it is
normal to hear at the midline or
'everywhere'
3. e sound should be heard better via
air conduction (at the entrance to the
ear canal)
4. If the sound lateralizes to one ear, then:
a. ere is CHL in that ear, or
b. ere is SNHL in the opposite ear.
4. If the sound is heard better by bone
conduction in the same ear, then there is
CHL in that ear.
5. If the sound is heard better by bone
conduction but in the opposite ear,
there is SNHL in the test ear.
6. Repeat for the other ear.