What is the primary function of Rinne's test?

Rinne's test is primarily designed to compare bone conduction and air conduction of sound in an individual's ears. This evaluation helps determine the type of hearing loss present. During the test, a tuning fork is struck and placed on the mastoid bone (for bone conduction) and then held near the ear canal (for air conduction). By comparing how long a person can hear the sound through these two different methods, the test can identify whether the hearing loss is conductive (related to problems in the outer or middle ear) or sensorineural (relating to issues in the inner ear or auditory nerve).

The other options do not encompass the primary function of Rinne's test. Checking for dizziness involves balance assessment, which is not a focus of this test. Assessing eardrum integrity would require different methods, such as otoscopy, rather than sound conduction tests. Evaluating earwax buildup typically involves visual inspection rather than comparative auditory testing. Therefore, the correct identification of Rinne's test as a method for comparing bone and air conduction is essential for understanding its role in audiology.