Effects of human middle ear muscle contractions on speech intelligibility

The present study assessed the relationship between the acoustic reflex and speech intelligibility. Monosyllabic words mixed with noise were presented at -6, -3.0 and +3 dB signal-to-noise ratios. The word lists were presented with a 2000-Hz tone in the contralateral ear at a level 15 dB above or 20 dB below the acoustic reflex threshold to evaluate intelligibility differences with the acoustic reflex contracted and relaxed. The results indicated that a significant decrement in speech intelligibility differences with the acoustic reflex contracted and relaxed. The results indicated that a significant decrement in speech intelligibility occurred with the reflex contracted at signal-to-noise ratios of -3, and 0 dB. Slight but not significant decrements were seen at -6 and +3 dB signal-to-noise ratios. These results are discussed along with possible reasons for the lack of agreement with previous research.