RINNES TEST

RINNES TEST
is named after Adolf Rinne of Gottingen, who described this test in 1855. it compares the patients ability to hear a tone conducted via air and bone - the mastoid process.

RINNES TEST
the base of a vibrating 512Hz tuning fork is first placed on the mastoid process and then after the sound is no longer appreciated the vibrating top is held one inch from the external auditory meatus the patient is asked whether the sound is louder behind or in front - referring to bone and air conduction respectively

RINNES TEST
the base of a vibrating 512Hz tuning fork is first placed on the mastoid process and then after the sound is no longer appreciated the vibrating top is held one inch from the external auditory meatus

RINNES TEST
normally the note is audible at the external meatus
when nerve deafness is present then the note is audible at the external meatus, as air and bone conduction are reduced equally, so that the air conduction is better (as is normal) than bone conduction - this is termed Rinne-positive Rinne-negative occurs with a conductive hearing loss - no note is audible at the external meatus (i.e. bone conduction is better than air conduction)

RINNES TEST

CONE OF LIGHT
The Cone of light, or light reflex, is a visible phenomemon which occurs upon examination of the tympanic membrane with an otoscope. Shining light on the tympanic membrane causes a coneshaped reflection of light to appear in the anterior inferior quadrant. This corresponds to the 4 o'clock to 5 o'clock position in the right eardrum and the 7 o'clock to 8 o'clock position in the left eardrum.The apex of the cone is at the most depressed part of the tympanic membrane, known as the umbo.

CONE OF LIGHT
The absence of a cone of light does not necessarily signify an ear disorder, as it could be due to the slope of the tympanic membrane or the shape of the ear canal. However, distortions in the cone of light can also be a sign of increased inner ear pressure or otitis media

CONE OF LIGHT