Middle Ear Reflex Measurements in Pseudohypacusis

Abstract

In a normal hearing subject bilateral stapedius muscle reflexes can be elicited with pure tones ranging from 65 to 90 dB sensation level (SL). A range between aucutory and reflex thresholds less than this, points to a functional hearing loss. Persons with sensory-neutral hearing losses with recruitment also yield reduced ranges between auditory and reflex thresholds. This factor will lead to erroneous interpretation of auditory tests. When tne reflex thresholds are better than auditory thresholds pseudohypacusis must be suspected. A gap of 5 db between auditory and reflex thresholds indicates a possibility of a recruiting ear.