Final answer:
Sensorineural hearing loss is determined during the Weber test by the quieter perception of sound in the affected ear, as the test's tuning fork sound will appear less loud in the ear with the damaged cochlea or auditory nerve compared to the healthy ear.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Weber test is an audiological exam that utilizes a tuning fork to determine the type of hearing loss an individual has—whether it's conductive or sensorineural. During the Weber test, the tuning fork is placed on the midline of the skull, and sound reaches both inner ears via bone conduction. In the situation where there is unilateral (one-sided) sensorineural hearing loss, the damaged cochlea or auditory nerve on the affected side will cause the sound to be perceived as quieter in the ear with hearing loss. Therefore, for someone with this type of loss, the sound of the tuning fork will resonate less in the affected ear when compared to the healthy ear, indicating sensorineural damage.