What is the purpose of Weber's test?

Weber's test is specifically designed to evaluate unilateral hearing loss. It involves placing a vibrating tuning fork on the center of the forehead or on top of the head and asking the patient where they perceive the sound. If the sound lateralizes to one ear, this indicates that there may be a conductive hearing loss in that ear or a sensorineural loss in the opposite ear. When sound is heard better in one ear, it helps healthcare professionals determine the type of hearing impairment present, making it a valuable clinical tool in the assessment of auditory function.

The other options listed, while related to sensory assessment in some regard, do not pertain specifically to the focus of Weber's test. Assessing central vision and color blindness involves different kinds of tests entirely, such as the visual acuity test and color vision tests, respectively. Measuring balance is more associated with vestibular function and typically involves other specialized tests. Thus, the purpose of Weber's test is clearly to evaluate unilateral hearing loss.