Weber test
Quick Summary
The Weber test is a qualitative hearing assessment that uses a tuning fork to evaluate how sound is conducted through the skull. The tuning fork is placed on the forehead, and the individual indicates which ear they hear the sound in.1
- If a sensorineural lesion is present in one ear, the sound will be localized to the opposite, "better" ear.1
- If a conductive hearing defect is present, the sound will be localized to the "worse" ear, as this ear is less affected by background noise.1
This test is valuable in diagnosing conditions like otosclerosis. It helps differentiate between sensorineural hearing loss, which involves the nerves mediating sense perception, and conductive hearing loss.12
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nervous system diseaseCranial nervesThe Weber test consists of placing the tuning fork on the forehead; the sound is better perceived either in the ear without nerve deafness or, paradoxically, in the ear affected by mild middle-ear deafness. Further testing may be performed in an audiometry laboratory.
Read MoreThe Weber test consists of placing the tuning fork on the forehead; the sound is better perceived either in the ear without nerve deafness or, paradoxically, in the ear affected by mild middle-ear deafness. Further testing may be performed in an audiometry laboratory.
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human earTuning-fork testsFor the Weber test, the fork is simply placed on the person’s forehead, and the examiner asks in which ear the person hears it. If a sensorineural lesion is present in one ear, the person will localize the sound in the opposite, or “better,” ear. If a…
Read MoreFor the Weber test, the fork is simply placed on the person’s forehead, and the examiner asks in which ear the person hears it. If a sensorineural lesion is present in one ear, the person will localize the sound in the opposite, or “better,” ear. If a…
Read More