Physical Exam

Weber Test

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Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

Strike a 512 Hz tuning fork and place its base on the midline of the skull — the vertex or the middle of the forehead (the upper central incisors may also be used). Ask the patient whether the sound is heard equally in both ears or louder in one ear. Normally the sound is perceived centrally or equally in both ears; the test is abnormal when it lateralizes (is heard louder on one side).

How to Interpret

Hearing Impairment

Weber test lateralizes to one ear

Rule in

InconclusiveWide CI

Rule out

InconclusiveWide CI

Evidence:Limited

Conductive Hearing Loss

Weber lateralizes to the poorer-hearing ear at 512 Hz

Rule in

Very helpfulNo CI

Rule out

Somewhat helpfulNo CI

Evidence:Limited

References

Bagai A, Thavendiranathan P, Detsky AS. Does this patient have hearing impairment? JAMA. 2006;295(4):416-428. PMID: 16434632.
Kelly EA, Li B, Adams ME. Diagnostic Accuracy of Tuning Fork Tests for Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;159(2):220-230. doi:10.1177/0194599818770405. PMID 29661046.
Kelly EA, Li B, Adams ME. Diagnostic Accuracy of Tuning Fork Tests for Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;159(2):220-230. doi:10.1177/0194599818770405. PMID: 29661046.

Research last updated September 9, 2026.