The acoumetry exam is based on two tests:

• Rinne’s test: with the tuning fork, we compare the duration of perception of sound through the air and through the bone. With normal hearing, the person will hear the vibrations for longer through the air than through the bone.
• Weber’s test: the tuning fork is applied to the forehead. This test allows you to know if the person can hear better on one side than on the other. If the hearing is symmetrical, the test is said to be “indifferent”. In the event of conductive deafness, hearing will be better on the deaf side (auditory perception seems stronger on the side of the injured ear, due to a phenomenon of cerebral compensation). In case of sensorineural hearing loss (sensorineural), hearing will be better on the healthy side.

The doctor usually uses different tuning forks (different tones) to perform the tests.

He can also use simple methods like whispering or speaking aloud, plugging the ear or not, etc. This makes it possible to make a first assessment of the hearing function.