Which of the following assessments is primarily used to evaluate hearing loss in patients?

The assessment that is primarily used to evaluate hearing loss in patients is pure-tone audiometry. This test is a standard auditory examination that quantifies a person's hearing sensitivity at various frequencies, providing a detailed spectrum of hearing ability across the sound range. It is more comprehensive than the Weber and Rinne tests, which are mainly utilized as screening tools for differentiating between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

Both the Weber and Rinne tests are subjective tests performed using a tuning fork. The Weber test helps to determine whether the hearing loss is unilateral by placing the tuning fork at the center of the head and observing where the sound is heard best. The Rinne test compares air conduction to bone conduction by placing the tuning fork on the mastoid bone and then near the ear. While useful, these tests do not provide an exact measurement or comprehensive evaluation of hearing capacity.

Thus, pure-tone audiometry serves as the primary assessment tool for evaluating hearing loss, encompassing a range of frequencies and intensities, with test results that can be quantitatively analyzed for establishing the type and severity of hearing impairment.