What would be a potential result of a Weber test in a patient with conductive hearing loss?

In a patient with conductive hearing loss, the Weber test typically demonstrates that sound lateralizes to the affected ear. This occurs because conductive hearing loss impairs the transmission of sound to the inner ear, causing the affected ear to perceive vibrations more prominently than the unaffected ear. Essentially, when the tuning fork is placed in the center of the forehead during the Weber test, the sound waves are better conducted through the bones of the skull to the affected ear, leading to a sensation of increased loudness there.

The reason why other outcomes do not apply in this case includes that if the sound lateralizes to the unaffected ear, it would usually indicate sensorineural hearing loss instead, as normal hearing would allow the sound to travel effectively to both ears. Hearing sound equally in both ears would also suggest that there is no significant hearing issue, contradicting the presence of conductive hearing loss. Lastly, if sound were not heard in either ear, it would imply profound deafness rather than conductive hearing loss, where some auditory perception is typically still present. Thus, the correct interpretation of the Weber test results in conductive hearing loss supports that sound will lateralize to the affected ear.