General

Synonym/Acronym:
Bing test, Rinne test, Schwabach test, Weber test.

Rationale
To assess for and determine type of hearing loss.

Patient Preparation
There are no food, fluid, activity, or medication restrictions unless by medical direction.

Normal Findings

• Normal air and bone conduction in both ears; no evidence of hearing loss
• Bing test: Pulsating sound that gets louder and softer when the opening to the ear canal is alternately opened and closed (Note: This result, observed in patients with normal hearing, is also observed in patients with sensorineural hearing loss.)
• Rinne test: Longer and louder tone heard by air conduction than by bone conduction (Note: This result, observed in patients with normal hearing, is also observed in patients with sensorineural hearing loss.)
• Schwabach test: Same tone loudness heard equally long by the examiner and the patient
• Weber test: Same tone loudness heard equally in both ears.

Critical Findings and Potential Interventions
N/A