Final answer:
The Weber hearing test involves using a tuning fork to test for hearing loss. It determines the laterality of the hearing loss by placing the tuning fork at the top of the skull and checking the sound perception in each ear. If the sound is louder in the ear with hearing loss, it indicates conductive hearing loss, while if it is quieter, it suggests sensorineural hearing loss.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Weber hearing test is administered using a tuning fork to test the laterality of hearing loss. The tuning fork is placed at the top of the skull, and the sound of the tuning fork reaches both inner ears by traveling through bone. In a healthy patient, the sound should appear equally loud in both ears. However, with conductive hearing loss, the tuning fork sounds louder in the ear with hearing loss, while with sensorineural hearing loss, the tuning fork sounds quieter in the affected ear.