What is the primary purpose of using Rinne and Weber tests in clinical practice?

The primary purpose of using the Rinne and Weber tests is to evaluate hearing loss. These tests are particularly useful in differentiating between conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss.

In the Rinne test, a tuning fork is struck and placed on the mastoid bone behind the ear (bone conduction), and then next to the ear (air conduction). A normal result shows that air conduction is better than bone conduction, while if bone conduction is better, it suggests a conductive hearing loss.

In the Weber test, a tuning fork is placed in the middle of the forehead to determine if sound lateralizes to one ear or the other. If the sound is heard better in one ear, this can indicate either conductive hearing loss in that ear or sensorineural loss in the opposite ear.

Both tests are fundamental in clinical audiological assessments, making them essential for diagnosing the type of hearing impairment a patient may have, as opposed to the other options which focus on unrelated systems or functions.