What is the purpose of the Rinne test?

The Rinne test is specifically designed to measure hearing by comparing bone conduction and air conduction. During the test, a tuning fork is struck and placed on the mastoid bone behind the ear to assess bone conduction, and then it is held in front of the ear canal to evaluate air conduction. The results help determine whether a hearing loss is conductive or sensorineural. When air conduction is better than bone conduction, it usually indicates normal hearing or sensorineural hearing loss. If bone conduction is better, this can suggest conductive hearing loss.

The other options do not align with the primary function of the Rinne test. While balance assessment is relevant in audiology, it is not the focus of the Rinne test. Similarly, evaluating eardrum function usually involves other tests, such as tympanometry. Detecting ear infections would typically require an otoscopic examination and not the Rinne test. Thus, the correct answer accurately reflects the intended purpose of the test in audiological assessments.