A school nurse is using the Weber’s test to check a child’s hearing acuity.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A.
Measure the amount of time the child can hear the sound.
B.
Obtain a tympanogram reading prior to initiating the test.
C.
Place a vibrating tuning fork on the top of the child’s head.
D.
Hold a vibrating tuning fork 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in) from the child’s ears.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is C. Place a vibrating tuning fork on the top of the child’s head.
Explanation:
The Weber’s test is a hearing assessment designed to help determine the type of hearing loss a person might have, by assessing the lateralization of sound. It is a simple, quick test that provides valuable information about the patient’s auditory function.
Procedure of Weber’s Test:
- Preparation: The test requires a tuning fork, which is a metal device that produces a sound when struck. The nurse should ensure that the tuning fork is vibrating before beginning the test.
- Placement: The vibrating tuning fork is placed in the center of the patient’s forehead, specifically on the top of the head. This is done to ensure that the sound is perceived equally in both ears if the hearing is normal. If the patient has hearing loss, the sound will lateralize, meaning it will be heard more strongly in one ear compared to the other.
- Interpretation of Results:
- Normal Hearing: In a person with normal hearing or equal hearing loss in both ears, the sound will be heard equally in both ears.
- Conductive Hearing Loss: If there is conductive hearing loss in one ear, the sound will lateralize to the affected ear. Conductive hearing loss can be due to conditions like ear infections or fluid in the middle ear.
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss: If there is sensorineural hearing loss, the sound will lateralize to the opposite, unaffected ear. Sensorineural hearing loss can be due to damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect:
- A. Measure the amount of time the child can hear the sound: This is not part of the Weber’s test. The test does not measure the duration of sound perception but rather the location of sound perception.
- B. Obtain a tympanogram reading prior to initiating the test: A tympanogram is used to assess the middle ear’s function and is not related to the Weber’s test. The Weber’s test focuses on sound lateralization and does not require prior tympanometric assessment.
- D. Hold a vibrating tuning fork 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in) from the child’s ears: This describes the Rinne test, not the Weber’s test. The Rinne test involves placing the tuning fork near the ear and then at the mastoid bone to compare air and bone conduction.
In summary, the Weber’s test involves placing a vibrating tuning fork on the top of the child’s head to assess how sound is perceived in each ear, helping to identify the type of hearing loss.