[Stapedius-reflex-audiometry by measuring the threshold for the re-inforcement of a pre-existing reflex (author's...

The possibilities for predicting the pure tone threshold on the basis of the acoustic stapedius reflex threshold are improved by using two stimuli, e.g., white noise and pure tone, or two pure tones according to Sesterhenn and Breuninger. The principle of the monaural loudness summation with regard to the stapedius reflex was systematically examined with the aim to obtain the best suited range for clinical use with a double tone stimulus. The following procedure proved to be the most reliable one for an objective audiometry: A distinct reflex is produced by a basic pure tone of 4 kHz, 10 dB above its reflex threshold. The tone to be examined (1 kHz) was added with a delay of 0.5 s. A 1 kHz tone 28 dB below the reflex threshold (median) produced a clear re-inforcement of the basic reflex. Objective extrapolation possibilities from stapedius reflex threshold to pure tone threshold are thereby improved.