According to the Rinne test results, what is the expected sound conduction ratio?

In the context of the Rinne test, the expected sound conduction ratio reflects the difference in hearing through air conduction versus bone conduction. The Rinne test is used to distinguish between conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss by comparing these two types of sound conduction.

For a normal hearing scenario, air conduction is usually better than bone conduction. This is why the expected ratio in a healthy ear would be approximately 2:1 for air to bone conduction. In these terms, the result would be expressed as 1:2 when considering how much better air conduction is compared to bone conduction. Hence, the Rinne test results suggest that sounds should be heard for a longer duration through air than through bone, indicating normal functioning of the auditory system.

In cases of conductive hearing loss, this ratio may reverse, displaying that bone conduction might be better than air conduction. So, understanding the Rinne test helps identify the condition of the auditory pathway, and the correct interpretation of the ratio is crucial for diagnosing hearing impairments accurately.