Final answer:
The Rinne and Weber tests measure a patient's hearing through air and bone conduction to distinguish between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, using a tuning fork placed first on the mastoid process and then near the ear canal for the Rinne test, and on top of the head for the Weber test.
Step-by-step explanation:
The procedure that measures a patient's hearing by using air and bone conduction is called the Rinne and Weber tests. During the Rinne test, a vibrating tuning fork is placed on the mastoid process behind the ear to assess bone conduction. The patient is asked to indicate when they cannot hear the vibration anymore. Subsequently, the fork is moved next to the ear canal to test air conduction. If the patient cannot hear the vibration through the air but did through the bone, this may indicate conductive hearing loss. On the other hand, the Weber test differentiates between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss by placing the tuning fork on top of the patient's head. The perception of the sound's loudness can reveal which type of hearing loss the patient may have.