Stapedial reflexes in normal versus recruiting ears

The latency and magnitude of the stapedial reflex was examined in a group of normal-hearing Ss (N: 15) and in 15 Ss with unilateral sensorineural impairment exhibiting abnormal loudness growth in the impaired ear. Reflexes were determined at successive 2-db steps from threshold to 16 db above using a 2-kc/s stimulus tone. Latency and magnitude measurements were not statistically different between groups nor between ears within the pathological group. These results substantiate dependence of the stapedial reflex on loudness. Furthermore, there appears to be a dependence of the reflex magnitude on age, in that the magnitude tends to be less in older Ss.