Which of the following is false about bone conduction testing?

Bone conduction testing primarily assesses how sound is transmitted through the bones of the skull, allowing for the evaluation of the cochlea and inner ear without interference from outer or middle ear pathology. A snug fit of the oscillator is essential because it ensures that vibrations are efficiently transferred to the skull, providing accurate threshold measures.

While it is possible for patients to have better thresholds in bone conduction than air conduction under certain conditions, best practices dictate thorough testing of both ears to obtain a complete auditory profile. The emphasis on testing both ears, regardless of which might appear to be worse, is vital as it can provide crucial information about conductive vs. sensorineural hearing loss.

A loose-fitting headband would not adequately stabilize the oscillator, resulting in ineffective transmission of sound vibrations and potentially inaccurate threshold readings. Thus, the need for a snug fit cannot be overstated when aiming for accurate results in bone conduction testing.