The Weber test will lateralise according to whether the pathology is conductive or sensorineural. In unilateral hearing loss, if the Weber test lateralises to the impaired ear then the impairment is conductive and should be confirmed with a Rinne test (of the ipsilateral ear). In unilateral hearing loss, if the Weber test lateralises to the good ear the impairment is sensorineural and should be confirmed with a Rinne test (of the contralateral ear).
Weber localises the problem. The Rinne then differentiates between a conductive and sensorineural problem. Rinne tests conduction.
