In a patient with otosclerosis, which tuning fork test pattern is expected?

• A Rinne positive (AC > BC), Weber lateralising to the better ear, Schwabach shortened
• B Rinne negative, Weber centralised, Schwabach normal
• C Rinne positive, Weber centralising, Schwabach shortened
• D Rinne negative (BC > AC), Weber lateralising to the worse ear, Schwabach lengthened ✓

Explanation

Otosclerosis causes conductive hearing loss: Rinne is negative (bone conduction better than air conduction, i.e., BC > AC), Weber lateralises to the more affected (worse hearing) ear as the masking effect of ambient noise is reduced and the vibrating skull best activates the ipsilateral cochlea, and Schwabach is lengthened (bone conduction duration prolonged compared to examiner). These are the classical tuning fork findings of conductive hearing loss.

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.