Effect of Temporal Summation on the Human Stapedius Reflex

Abstract

The sensitivity of the acoustic stapedius reflex as a function of stimulus duration was studied by monitoring acoustic-impedance changes at the eardrum. Our results indicate an unexpectedly pronounced duration effect. The sound intensity required for a criterion response had to be lowered by about 25 dB when the signal duration was increased from 10 to 100 msec.