What is a normal finding for the Rinne test?

In the Rinne test, a normal finding is characterized by air conduction (AC) being greater than bone conduction (BC). This means that when a tuning fork is placed on the mastoid process first (to test BC), and then moved to the front of the ear to test for AC, the sound should be heard longer when it is in front of the ear than when it is on the bone.

This result indicates that the auditory system is functioning properly, as normal hearing typically allows for better perception of sounds conducted through the air compared to those conducted through the bone. In healthy individuals, this would reflect intact sound transmission through the outer and middle ear as well as sound processing in the inner ear and brain, which distinguishes normal hearing from conductive or sensorineural hearing loss, where the findings would differ. Thus, a result showing AC > BC is the expected normal outcome in a Rinne test.