Acoustic Reflex Evaluation

What is the acoustic reflex?

The acoustic reflex is the contraction of the stapedius muscle elicited by the presentation of an acoustically loud sound. Consequently, when either ear is presented with a loud sound, the stapedius muscles on both sides contract.

Acoustic Reflex Evaluation

Acoustic reflex evaluation results make a major contribution to differential diagnosis of hearing disorders.They can provide or confirm information about the type (conductive, sensory, neural) and degree of hearing loss.

References

• Prendergast G, Sathe TS, Heinrich A, Munro KJ. Acoustic reflexes: should we be paying more attention? Int J Audiol. 2023 Feb 22:1-5.
• Saxena U, Allan C, Allen P. Acoustic Reflexes in Normal-Hearing Adults, Typically Developing Children, and Children with Suspected Auditory Processing Disorder: Thresholds, Real-Ear Corrections, and the Role of Static Compliance on Estimates. J Am Acad Audiol. 2017 Jun;28(6):480-490.