A 512 Hz tuning fork is placed on the mastoid process. The patient cannot hear it. The fork is then held in the air next to the ear and the patient still cannot hear it. Rinne's test is therefore:
- A Positive — indicating sensorineural hearing loss
- B False negative — indicating severe or profound SNHL where both AC and BC are inaudible ✓
- C Negative — indicating conductive hearing loss
- D Indeterminate — requires masking of the opposite ear
Correct answer: B. False negative — indicating severe or profound SNHL where both AC and BC are inaudible
Explanation
A 'false negative' Rinne occurs when hearing loss is so severe (profound SNHL) that the patient cannot hear the tuning fork by either air conduction or bone conduction in that ear. A true negative Rinne means BC > AC (conductive loss). In false negative Rinne, the patient is actually hearing the vibration via the contralateral (better) cochlea by transcranial bone conduction — masking of the opposite ear is essential to unmask this. This is why Weber and Rinne must always be interpreted together.
Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.