Related Experiment Videos
The acoustic reflex in patients with asymptomatic multiple sclerosis
1Department of Surgery, M.S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033.
American Journal of Otolaryngology
|September 1, 1988
Summary
Acoustic reflex tests are not sensitive enough to screen for multiple sclerosis (MS) in asymptomatic patients. Measurements of acoustic reflex onset latency and rise time were similar across control, hearing loss, and MS groups.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Audiology
Background:
- Early detection of multiple sclerosis (MS) during remission is clinically valuable.
- Acoustic reflex measurements (onset latency, rise time) show potential for detecting retrocochlear auditory pathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of acoustic reflex measurements as a screening tool for asymptomatic multiple sclerosis (MS).
- To compare acoustic reflex features in healthy controls, individuals with sensorineural hearing loss, and those with MS.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, single-blinded study design.
- Measurement of acoustic reflex threshold, onset latency, and rise time.
- Comparison across three participant groups: control, sensorineural hearing loss, and multiple sclerosis.
Main Results:
- Acoustic reflex threshold, onset latency, and rise time measurements were comparable among all study groups.
- No significant differences were observed in these acoustic reflex parameters between groups.
Conclusions:
- Current acoustic reflex tests, under the study's conditions, lack the sensitivity to effectively screen for asymptomatic multiple sclerosis.
- Further research may be needed to identify more sensitive audiological markers for early MS detection.