Development of 90th Percentile Norms for Ipsilateral Acoustic Reflex Thresholds: A Feasibility Study
type: CreativeWork
description: The acoustic reflex threshold has been well established in the literature as an involuntary bilateral contraction of the stapedius muscle in response to loud transient sounds. Additionally, the clinical utility of the acoustic reflex threshold has been established as it allows for the differential diagnosis of many different conductive, cochlear and retrocochlear pathologies. Gelfand, Schwander and Silman (1990) have established and validated 90th percentile normative data for use with the contralateral acoustic reflex threshold. Much of the literature on the acoustic reflex threshold has focused on the contralateral acoustic reflex threshold; however, surveys have found that many clinicians are performing the ipsilateral acoustic reflex threshold in lieu of either the contralateral reflex or both together. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of establishing 90th percentile normative data for use with the ipsilateral acoustic reflex threshold in view of the lower maximum outputs. Results indicated that ipsilateral acoustic reflex thresholds were likely to be present for hearing losses through at least moderate levels and were likely to be absent at levels of 70 dB HL and above. Results of the current feasibility study indicate the need for a larger-scale exploration of the ipsilateral acoustic reflex threshold as a function of hearing loss with particular emphasis on the moderately severe range.
abstract: The acoustic reflex threshold has been well established in the literature as an involuntary bilateral contraction of the stapedius muscle in response to loud transient sounds. Additionally, the clinical utility of the acoustic reflex threshold has been established as it allows for the differential diagnosis of many different conductive, cochlear and retrocochlear pathologies. Gelfand, Schwander and Silman (1990) have established and validated 90th percentile normative data for use with the contralateral acoustic reflex threshold. Much of the literature on the acoustic reflex threshold has focused on the contralateral acoustic reflex threshold; however, surveys have found that many clinicians are performing the ipsilateral acoustic reflex threshold in lieu of either the contralateral reflex or both together. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of establishing 90th percentile normative data for use with the ipsilateral acoustic reflex threshold in view of the lower maximum outputs. Results indicated that ipsilateral acoustic reflex thresholds were likely to be present for hearing losses through at least moderate levels and were likely to be absent at levels of 70 dB HL and above. Results of the current feasibility study indicate the need for a larger-scale exploration of the ipsilateral acoustic reflex threshold as a function of hearing loss with particular emphasis on the moderately severe range.
author: Wertheimer, Iris
keywords: Diagnosis, Speech Pathology and Audiology, audiology, diagnostics, differential diagnosis, ipsilateral, acoustic reflex threshold
date published: 2017-06-02T07:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-24T02:00:13Z
provider: City University of New York - Graduate Center
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: The Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York