Audiology and Olfaction Tests and Definitions

Weber Test

• The Weber test is used to assess sensorineural hearing loss.
• Procedure:
  1. Strike a 512 Hertz tuning fork.
  2. Place the tuning fork on top of the patient's head.
  3. The patient should ideally hear the sound equally in both ears.
  4. If the sound is not heard equally, further testing is needed to determine the presence of sensorineural loss.

Forms of Hearing Loss

• Hearing loss can occur in different forms:
  • Conductive
  • Sensorineural
  • Presbycusis
  • Deafness

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

• Sensorineural hearing loss is a result of issues with the inner ear or the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII).

Rinne Test

• The Rinne test assesses hearing via air versus bone conduction.
• Procedure:
  1. Strike a 512 Hertz tuning fork.
  2. Place the base of the tuning fork on the patient's mastoid process and ask if they can hear it.
  3. Then, move the still-ringing tuning fork next to the patient's ear and ask, "Do you hear this?"
  4. Normally, the patient should hear the tuning fork longer or better next to the ear (air conduction) than when it is on the mastoid process (bone conduction).
     • Air conduction should be better than bone conduction.

Anosmia

• Anosmia is the loss of the sense of smell.
• Certain viruses, like the Covid-19 virus, can cause damage related to the sense of smell.