What is the procedure for the Weber (Weber hearing test) test?

From the Guidelines

The Weber test should be performed by vibrating a tuning fork (256 or 512 Hz) and placing it at the midline of the forehead or on the maxillary teeth, then asking the patient where the sound is heard, with normal hearing perceived at the midline or "everywhere" 1. To perform the Weber test, the following steps should be taken:

• Vibrate the tuning fork by striking it on a covered elbow or knee, not on a hard metallic or wooden surface, to avoid nonharmonic frequencies 1.
• Place the vibrating tuning fork at the midline of the forehead or on the maxillary teeth (not false teeth) 1.
• Ask the patient where the sound is heard, with normal hearing perceived at the midline or "everywhere" 1.
• If the sound lateralizes to one ear, it suggests either conductive hearing loss (CHL) in that ear or sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in the opposite ear 1. The Weber test is a useful tool in conjunction with otoscopic examination to help clinicians make a preliminary diagnosis of either CHL or SNHL prior to audiometry being available, but it should not supplant formal audiometric testing 1. Some key points to consider when performing the Weber test include:
• The importance of striking the tuning fork correctly to avoid nonharmonic frequencies 1.
• The need to combine the results of the Weber test with other hearing assessments, such as the Rinne test, for a more complete evaluation of hearing function 1.
• The availability of alternative tests, such as the hum test, if a tuning fork is not available, which can provide similar diagnostic information to the Weber test 1.

From the Research

Procedure for the Weber Test

The Weber test is a diagnostic tool used to assess hearing loss, and it can be conducted using either tuning forks or an audiometer.

• The test is typically performed by placing a tuning fork on the forehead or skull, and the patient is asked to indicate in which ear they hear the sound more loudly 2, 3, 4.
• Alternatively, an audiometer can be used to perform the Weber test, where a bone vibrator is placed on the forehead and frequencies of 250 and 500 Hz are tested 2.
• The results of the Weber test are then compared to the expected lateralization from pure-tone audiometry (PTA) results to determine the accuracy of the test 2.
• The Weber test can be used to assess patients with conductive hearing loss, and it has been found to be reasonably accurate in diagnosing this condition 2, 3, 5.

Performing the Weber Test with Tuning Forks

• The tuning fork Weber test is performed by striking a tuning fork and placing it on the forehead or skull 3, 4.
• The patient is then asked to indicate in which ear they hear the sound more loudly 3, 4.
• The test can be performed at different frequencies, such as 256 and 512 Hz 2, 3.

Performing the Weber Test with an Audiometer

• The audiometric Weber test is performed by placing a bone vibrator on the forehead and testing frequencies of 250 and 500 Hz 2.
• The patient is then asked to indicate in which ear they hear the sound more loudly 2.
• The results of the test are then compared to the expected lateralization from PTA results to determine the accuracy of the test 2.