In the Weber test, when sound is perceived as louder in the unaffected ear, what does it suggest?

In the Weber test, when sound is perceived as louder in the unaffected ear, it suggests that there is a sensorineural hearing loss in the tested ear. This phenomenon occurs because the sound lateralizes to the better-hearing ear. In a healthy auditory pathway, sounds should be perceived equally in both ears; however, if there is damage to the sensory structures or neural pathways of the affected ear, this results in diminished sound perception.

Therefore, if an individual hears sound predominantly in the unaffected ear during the Weber test, it indicates that the tested ear likely has a sensorineural deficit, which could involve issues with the cochlea or the auditory nerve itself. This aligns with the principles of how sound conduction and nerve function are evaluated in ear examinations.