Medical Evaluation Notes

ENT notes were accessed via electronic medical records and the ENT opined as follows.  “The Weber lateralizes left. The Rinne is positive on each side, indicating that the conductive component is really rather small.  The left TM is thick and opaque with a large central dimeric zone. The long process of the incus is intact. There is no active disease. The right ear is normal.  Hearing aid evaluation is recommended.”

• What is the Rinne tuning fork test?  Compare and contrast that test to pure tone air and bone conduction audiometry.
• In fitting the patient for a left hearing aid, would you adjust your hearing aid prescription to account for a conductive component to the left hearing loss, or would you accept the ENT finding that the loss is sensorineural and not make adjustment.  Defend your position.