Normal values of the ipsilateral acoustic stapedius reflex threshold.

Abstract

It is frequently taken for granted that the acoustically evoked stapedius reflex is bilaterally symmetrical. Contrary to this, Møller described an asymmetry of the acoustic stapedius reflex with an ipsilaterally 2--14 dB lower threshold. The determination of normal values of the ipsilateral acoustic stapedius reflex threshold with a large number of patients is difficult as the intensity of the stimulus depends considerably on the position of the probe in the acoustic meatus and is therefore not defined with sufficient accuracy. For this reason we determined the values of the ipsilateral threshold by applying a stimulus sound of high intensity to the deaf ear of unilaterally completely deaf patients with a normal headphone, which can be calibrated much more accurately. After subtraction of the individual cross hearing loss, the exact ipsilateral intensity was obtained. By this method a stapedius reflex could be evoked with 49 of the 62 patients. By mathematical consideration of the data of the positive cases, as well as the maximum available intensities with the negative cases, determination of the median value of the ipsilateral threshold was possible: at 0.5 kHz 59 dB; at 1kHz 62.5 dB; at 2 kHz 67 dB; at 4 kHz approx. 67 dB. The difference between ipsilateral and contralateral stapedius reflex threshold was in the range of 15 dB. A new definition of the normal value for the ipsilateral measured Metz recruitment appears necessary.