During assessment of hearing in a 30-year old male, the Weber test reveals perceived tone in the left ear. He is likely to be suffering from:
Understanding the Weber Test Finding
The Weber test result indicates that the perceived sound is loudest in the left ear. This phenomenon is known as lateralization of the sound to the left.
Weber Test Interpretation Principles
The Weber test helps differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. The tuning fork sound is typically perceived louder in the ear that:
- Has a conductive hearing loss (due to sound being trapped or bone conducted more easily through a compromised middle ear).
- Has better sensorineural hearing function, relative to the other ear.
Conversely, the sound is perceived quieter or not at all in the ear with significant sensorineural hearing loss.
Analyzing Right Sensorineural Deafness
The question suggests the likely condition is right sensorineural deafness. This implies damage or dysfunction in the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve on the right side.
In cases of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, the Weber test lateralizes to the ear with relatively better cochlear function. Since the right ear has sensorineural loss, the left ear's sensorineural function is comparatively superior.
Conclusion
Therefore, when the Weber test shows lateralization to the left ear, it is consistent with a problem in the opposite ear, specifically right sensorineural deafness, as the sound is perceived in the ear with better hearing capacity.
Important Questions from General Clinical Conditions
- The height of the Jugular Venous Pulse is determined by :
- The SA node is situated at the junction of:
- Reverse splitting of second heart sound is most commonly seen in :
- A 70-year-old man with dyspnoea on exertion has been found to have a single second heart sound and a loud diamond-shaped, rough quality systolic murmur best heard at the right $2^{nd}$ intercostal space, radiating to the right carotid artery. Which one of the following is the likely diagnosis ?
Consider the following statements with regard to pulmonary embolism :
1. Unexplained breathlessness is the most common symptom.
2. When congestive heart failure or pneumonia fail to improve despite standard medical treatment, occult pulmonary embolism should be considered.
3. Patients with high clinical likelihood of venous thromboembolism should first undergo D-dimer testing alone without obligatory imaging tests.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
