Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Date of Degree

6-2017

Document Type

Capstone Project

Degree Name

Au.D.

Program

Audiology

Advisor

Adrienne Rubinstein

Advisor

Shlomo Silman

Subject Categories

Diagnosis | Speech Pathology and Audiology

Keywords

audiology, diagnostics, differential diagnosis, ipsilateral, acoustic reflex threshold

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.

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