The acoustic reflex and loudness recruitment

Loudness balance and acoustic reflex tests were conducted on 11 hearing impaired patients. At all frequencies tested, equal loudness judgments made by each patient occurred at acoustic reflex threshold levels in each ear. Test results were classified into three general patterns and a Difference Ratio Quotient (DRQ) expressed the relationship between binaural acoustic reflex and pure tone thresholds. Additional information was derived from the DRQ formula to permit more accurate quantification of recruitment.