Weber’s Test

Results & Discussion

Weber’s Test

A tuning fork was gently struck on the heel of the hand

The vibrating tuning fork was placed at any midline structure such as the vertex, nasal bone, or incisors.

The subjects were asked to localize on which side the sound is heard.

Correct Response: sound is heard equally on both ears.

Sensorineural loss = loudest sound in unaffected ear

Conduction loss = loudest sound in affected ear (hears vibrations only)

Weber’s Test

WEBER’S TEST Sound heard loudest in…

Normal Hearing Both ears

Left conductive deafness Left ear

Left complete sensorineural deafness Right ear

Right conductive deafness Right ear

Right complete sensorineural deafness Left ear

Weber’s Test

ResultsSubjects Localization of Sound

Salvador Heard in both ears equally

Sanchez Heard in both ears equally

San Juan Heard in both ears equally

Santos Heard in both ears equally

Seneris Heard in both ears equally

Siapno Heard in both ears equally

Soliman Heard in both ears but louder in left ear

Soliza Heard in both ears equally

Sombilla Heard in both ears but louder in left ear

Sosa Heard in both ears but louder in left ear

Sumayao Heard in both ears equally

Tabora Heard in both ears but louder in right ear

Talabong Heard in both ears equally

Discussion

The Ernst Weber’s test (1934) is used to identify the better hearing cochlear. It is used in conjunction with Rinne’s test and is of most use in patients with unilateral hearing loss.

The correct response is equal loudness of sound on both ears.

The results in the experiment showed “lateralization on the Weber” by four of the thirteen subjects and indicated some form of hearing loss.

Three subjects heard the sound louder on left ear.

This lateralization of sound perception can be explained in two ways:

1. Sensorineural loss on the Right Acoustic nerve unable to carry the sound sound is

heard only from the left side

2. Conduction loss on the Left Air conduction is lost sound waves are blocked

from entering the inner ear subject is hearing exclusively by bone conduction the other ear has both the influence of air conduction and bone conduction

Air conduction is better than bone conduction. Therefore, right ear will be less aware of the bone conduction than the left ear subject hears the sound on the left.

Discussion

The results need to be interpreted with care and only in conjunction with further hearing tests.

Discussion

Types of Hearing Loss

Conductive Hearing Loss External ear obstructions (earwax, foreign

bodies) Middle ear obstructions (otitis) Otosclerosis

Sensorineural Hearing Loss Hair cell degeneration Presbycusis Lesion of cochlear nerve