Improved intensity coding at faster click-rates within the acoustic reflex pathway.

Abstract

This investigation was designed to study the effect of click repetition rates on the slopes of the ipsilateral acoustic reflex growth functions. Sixteen normal female subjects within the age range 20 to 26 years participated in the study. Following the determination of ipsilateral acoustic reflex thresholds at the click repetition rates of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 clicks/sec, reflex amplitudes were measured at 5 and 10 dB above the threshold values. The amplitudes of the acoustic reflex grew more rapidly at higher click rates, resulting in steeper slopes of the acoustic reflex growth functions. These results suggest better coding of intensity at higher click repetition rates within the ipsilateral acoustic reflex pathway.