Postauricular Muscle Reflex as a Potential Objective Measure of Auditory Function in Normal-Hearing Adults

This study aims to establish a protocol for measuring the postauricular muscle reflex (PAMR) and to characterize both short- and mid-latency responses under controlled conditions in adults with normal hearing. PAMR electromyography was recorded in 43 adults with normal hearing. Auditory stimuli (50 ms, 80-100 dB (A)) were presented at four frequencies (500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz), with systematic variation in stimulation side (ipsilateral/contralateral) and eye position (forward/rotated). The influence of these factors on PAMR amplitude and latency was analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. A short-latency PAMR (10-25 ms) was observed in all but one participant in at least one frequency. Reflex amplitude was significantly affected by stimulation side, eye position, frequency, and intensity. Contralateral stimulation produced stronger responses than ipsilateral stimulation. Additionally, a mid-latency PAMR (37-50 ms) was identified in 91% of participants, exhibiting lower amplitude and a higher detection level compared to the short-latency response. The mid-latency reflex was also significantly influenced by experimental conditions. The data shows that PAMR can be reliably recorded under controlled conditions in normal-hearing adults and that both short- and mid-latency components are influenced by auditory and oculomotor factors. These results provide us with normative data that can serve as a reference for future investigations in clinical populations, such as cochlear implant users and individuals with hearing loss.