What is the common method for assessing hearing acuity during a clinical exam?

The common method for assessing hearing acuity during a clinical exam is the Rinne and Weber tests. These tests utilize tuning forks to evaluate the function of the conductive and sensorineural pathways of hearing.

The Rinne test compares air conduction to bone conduction. It helps to determine whether there is any conductive hearing loss. The tuning fork is placed on the mastoid bone until the sound is no longer heard (bone conduction) and then moved next to the ear canal (air conduction). A normal result occurs when air conduction is better than bone conduction, which is expected in healthy ears. If the bone conduction is perceived longer, it indicates a conductive hearing loss.

The Weber test, on the other hand, assesses lateralization of sound. The tuning fork is placed in the middle of the forehead or the top of the head. In a normal hearing individual, the sound is perceived equally in both ears. If the sound lateralizes to one side, it can indicate either conductive hearing loss in that ear (where the sound is heard louder) or sensorineural hearing loss in the opposite ear.

This method is quick and can be performed in an office setting, making it a common practice for initial hearing assessments in a clinical environment.