In conductive deafness of right ear, Weber’s test will show?
**Core Concept**
Conductive deafness occurs due to a problem in the middle ear, such as otosclerosis, eustachian tube dysfunction, or a perforated eardrum. This type of hearing loss impairs the transmission of sound vibrations to the inner ear, but does not affect the cochlea or the auditory nerve. Weber's test is used to determine lateralization of sound, which can help differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
In conductive deafness, the affected ear (in this case, the right ear) has a conductive hearing loss, meaning sound vibrations are not being properly transmitted to the inner ear. When a 512 Hz tuning fork is struck and placed on the midline of the skull, the sound will lateralize to the affected ear in conductive hearing loss. This is because the bone conduction pathway is intact, and the sound will be perceived as louder in the affected ear due to the increased bone conduction. In the case of right ear conductive deafness, the sound will lateralize to the right side, indicating the presence of a conductive hearing loss.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option B:** If the sound lateralized to the left side, it would indicate a sensorineural hearing loss in the right ear, not conductive deafness.
**Option C:** A normal result would indicate no lateralization, which is typically seen in cases of symmetrical hearing loss or when the tuning fork is struck and placed on the ear itself, not on the midline of the skull.
**Option D:** Centralized sound would indicate a case of normal hearing or symmetrical hearing loss, not conductive deafness.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Weber's test is a useful tool in the assessment of hearing loss, but it is not a definitive diagnostic tool. It can be used in conjunction with other tests, such as Rinne's test and tympanometry, to help differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
**✓ Correct Answer: A. Lateralised to right side**