A technique for detecting the ipsilateral acoustic reflex.

A technique was explored for detecting the ipsilateral acoustic reflex using one acoustic signal (226-HZ tone) both to elicit the reflex and to measure the impedance of the ear. By eliminating the presentation of two acoustic signals to the same ear, artifactual responses that result from interactions between two signals are avoided. The method provided reflex threshold estimates for five normal subjects that averaged 99.8 dB SPL, in close agreement with previously reported data. A sixth subject, with otosclerosis, showed no evidence of a reflex. With some refinement, the method could become a quick, reliable measurement procedure that avoids some of the problems of conventional methods.