During a Rinne test, what signifies a normal air conduction finding?

In a Rinne test, a comparison is made between air conduction (the transmission of sound through the air) and bone conduction (the transmission of sound through the bones of the skull). A normal finding is characterized by air conduction being greater than bone conduction. This is indicative of a healthy auditory system, where sounds heard through the air are transmitted more efficiently than through bone and thus allows us to perceive a greater range of sound frequencies.

When air conduction is greater, it suggests that there is no significant obstruction or damage affecting the outer or middle ear, which are critical for conducting sound through the air. This is the expected outcome in a normal examination, as it reflects the proper functioning of the auditory pathway. In contrast, findings where bone conduction is greater than air conduction typically indicate a conductive hearing loss, while equal conduction would suggest either normal hearing or a mixed type of hearing loss, depending on the clinical context. Not perceiving any sound at all signifies profound hearing loss, which is not considered normal.