Recruitment, Loudness and the Stapedial Reflex Threshold under Hypnosis

Abstract

Stapedial reflex thresolds were established for two normal hearing female adults to assess the effect of hypnotic suggestion on that threshold. Hypnotic suggestions that the test stimulus was either “very loud” or “very soft” did not alter the reflex threshold, although the suggestions of loudness and softness did alter Ss' experience. Use of the word “loudness” in discussions of recruitment is called into question.