In Weber test, if sound lateralizes to the unaffected ear, what type of hearing loss is suspected in the affected ear?

• A. Conduction hearing loss
• B. Sensorineural hearing loss
• C. Normal hearing
• D. Mixed hearing loss

Answer: (B)

The Weber test uses a tuning fork placed at the midline to see where the sound is heard louder. If the sound goes to the unaffected ear, it means the damaged ear has reduced neural processing, so the normal ear perceives it louder—that's sensorineural hearing loss in the ear with the problem. Conductive loss would cause the sound to lateralize to the affected ear, and normal hearing would show no lateralization. So the pattern described indicates sensorineural hearing loss in the affected ear.