Rinne's and Weber's Flashcards
Performing both Rinne’s and Weber’s test allows differentiation between…
Conductive and sensorineural hearing loss
Describe how to perform Rinne’s test
How is the result interpreted?
Tuning fork is placed over mastoid process until sound no longer heard, followed by repositioning just over external auditory meatus
Normal = air conduction is better than bone conduction
If bone conduction is better, this suggests conductive hearing loss
Describe how to perform Weber’s test
How is the result interpreted?
Tuning fork is placed in the middle of the forehead
Normal = heard same on both sides
Conductive deafness = lateralises to affected ear
Sensorineural hearing loss = lateralises to unaffected ear
Conductive hearing loss means…
There is a problem with sound travelling from the environment to the inner ear
Sensorineural hearing loss means…
There is a problem with the sensory system or vestibulocochlear nerve
List some causes of sensorineural hearing loss…
- SSHL
- Presbycusis
- Meniere’s
- Labyrinthitis
- Acoustic neuroma
- Neurological conditions (e.g. stroke, MS, tumour)
- Meds, e.g. furosemide, gentamicin
List some causes of conductive hearing loss…
- Ear wax
- Infection/effusion in the ear
- Perforated tympanic membrane
- Otosclerosis
- Cholesteatoma
Describe the pathophysiology of otosclerosis
Remodelling of ossicles
Otosclerosis can be inherited in a (…?) pattern
Autosomal dominant
Describe the management of otosclerosis
- Hearing aid
- Surgery (stapedectomy)
Describe the pathophysiology of cholesteatoma
Non cancerous growth of squamous epithelium within the ear causing local destruction
Describe the management of cholesteatoma
Surgical removal
Describe a characteristic finding of cholesteatoma
Foul smelling discharge form the ear
