What is considered an abnormal result on a Weber test?

In the context of the Weber test, lateralization to one ear is indeed considered an abnormal result. The Weber test is a simple bedside test used to evaluate hearing perception through bone conduction. When a tuning fork is placed on the midline of the skull, normal hearing would result in the sound being perceived equally in both ears.

When there is lateralization to one ear, it can indicate that there is a conductive hearing loss in that ear or a sensorineural hearing loss in the opposite ear. For example, if the patient hears the sound more loudly in one ear, it could suggest that there is an issue in the ear that has a decreased ability to hear ambient sound, or it could mean the opposite ear is not processing sound as effectively.

In contrast, no lateralization would indicate normal hearing or symmetric hearing loss, where sound is perceived equally in both ears. The options referring to air conduction and bone conduction relate to different hearing assessments (like the Rinne test) but do not directly apply to abnormal findings in the Weber test.