In unilateral conductive hearing loss, Weber testing would lateralize to which ear?

In unilateral conductive hearing loss, Weber testing would lateralize to which ear?

• A. To the unaffected ear
• B. No lateralization
• C. To the affected ear
• D. Lateralizes to either ear depending on intensity

Answer: (C)

Weber testing compares bone-conducted sound from the tuning fork with what each ear can hear. In unilateral conductive hearing loss, the ear with the blockage or middle-ear problem has reduced air conduction, while bone conduction remains relatively intact. Because the ear canal is also often occluded, the bone-conducted tone can be perceived as louder on that side (the occlusion effect), so the sound seems to lateralize to the affected ear. In contrast, unilateral sensorineural loss reduces perception in the affected ear, so the tone is louder in the normal ear. If both ears hear equally well, the sound stays midline.

Weber testing compares bone-conducted sound from the tuning fork with what each ear can hear. In unilateral conductive hearing loss, the ear with the blockage or middle-ear problem has reduced air conduction, while bone conduction remains relatively intact. Because the ear canal is also often occluded, the bone-conducted tone can be perceived as louder on that side (the occlusion effect), so the sound seems to lateralize to the affected ear. In contrast, unilateral sensorineural loss reduces perception in the affected ear, so the tone is louder in the normal ear. If both ears hear equally well, the sound stays midline.