What does the Weber test determine?

The Weber test is a tuning fork test used in audiology to assess hearing capabilities and identify potential issues with hearing in one or both ears. The primary purpose of this test is to determine which ear has the better perception of sound.

During the test, a vibrating tuning fork is placed on the midline of the forehead or the top of the head, and the patient is asked to indicate in which ear the sound is perceived as louder. Normally, sound should lateralize equally to both ears; however, if there is a significant difference in hearing ability between the two ears, the sound will be perceived as louder in the ear with better hearing, or may laterally localize toward the affected ear if there is conductive hearing loss.

This ability to pinpoint the ear with better hearing provides valuable diagnostic insight regarding hearing loss, enabling audiologists and hearing aid dispensers to develop more tailored management strategies. In contrast, the other options refer to different aspects of hearing, such as sound distortion, overall loudness perception, or the extent of hearing loss, which are not the focus of what the Weber test specifically measures.