What type of hearing loss is indicated if a patient hears better in the left ear during a Weber test?

In the context of the Weber test, when a patient hears better in one ear compared to the other, it indicates the type of hearing loss present. If a patient hears better in the left ear, this typically suggests that there is a problem in the right ear.

Specifically, the Weber test uses a tuning fork placed in the center of the forehead or skull to assess hearing. Sound will lateralize to the ear with conductive hearing loss because the other ear (the one with sensorineural loss) cannot perceive the sound as well. Thus, if sound is heard better in the left ear, it indicates that the right ear may have a conductive hearing loss, and the left ear is functioning normally or has no significant sensorineural loss.

Sensorineural loss affects the inner ear or the auditory nerve itself, which means that if the left ear hears better, it likely means that there is no sensorineural loss in that ear. Therefore, the better hearing in the left ear would be consistent with a diagnosis of right ear conductive hearing loss, rather than right ear sensorineural loss.

This distinction is crucial in interpreting the results of the Weber test and determining the underlying cause of hearing deficits.