Weber test
Weber test
The Weber test (pronounced: /ˈweɪbər tɛst/) is a quick screening test for hearing. It can detect unilateral (one-sided) conductive hearing loss and unilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The test is named after Ernst Heinrich Weber (1795–1878), a German physician who is also known for Weber's Law in the field of psychology.
Etymology
The Weber test is named after Ernst Heinrich Weber, a German physician. Weber was a pioneer in the field of experimental psychology and made significant contributions to the study of touch and weight perception. His work in these areas led to the formulation of Weber's Law, which states that the smallest noticeable difference between two stimuli is a constant proportion of the original stimulus.
Procedure
The Weber test is performed using a tuning fork. The fork is struck to produce a sound, then it is placed on the center of the forehead. The person being tested is then asked where they hear the sound. If the sound is heard equally in both ears, the test is considered normal or "negative". If the sound is heard more in one ear, this can indicate a hearing loss in that ear.
Interpretation
In the Weber test, if the sound is heard more in the affected ear, this indicates a conductive hearing loss in that ear. If the sound is heard more in the unaffected ear, this indicates a sensorineural hearing loss in the affected ear.
Related Terms
- Conductive hearing loss: This type of hearing loss occurs when sound is not conducted efficiently through the outer ear canal to the eardrum and the tiny bones, or ossicles, of the middle ear.
- Sensorineural hearing loss: This type of hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear (cochlea), or to the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain.
- Tuning fork: A tool used in the Weber test to produce a sound.
- Rinne test: Another test used to evaluate hearing loss, often performed in conjunction with the Weber test.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Weber test
- Wikipedia's article - Weber test
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