How does the Weber tuning-fork test distinguish between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss?

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The Weber test distinguishes between types of hearing loss by assessing the lateralization of sound when a vibrating tuning fork is placed on the center of the forehead.1

Sensorineural hearing loss: If a sensorineural lesion exists in one ear, the patient will perceive the sound in the opposite, or "better," ear.1
Conductive hearing loss: If a conductive defect is present, the patient will localize the sound to the "worse" ear. This occurs because the conductive impairment protects that ear from interference by extraneous airborne masking noises, making the bone-conducted sound more prominent in that side.1

This diagnostic tool has historically been a valuable aid in identifying conditions such as otosclerosis.1