A Rinne test is a type of hearing test that compares how well a person can hear sounds transmitted through the air versus sounds transmitted through bone conduction. During the test, a vibrating tuning fork is placed first on the mastoid bone behind the ear and then in front of the ear canal. A person with normal hearing will hear the sound louder when the tuning fork is held in front of the ear, while a person with conductive hearing loss will hear the sound louder when the tuning fork is held against the mastoid bone.