An artifact in acoustic reflex measurement: some further observations.
This study was designed to clarify characteristics of an artifact that has been reported to be a potential source of misleading information when determing acoustic reflex thresholds elicited by low-frequency tones. The study was conducted in two parts. Experiment 1 was concerned with an investigation of acoustic interactions in a sealed cavity between the probe tone from a commercial electroacoustic impedance bridge and interfering tones of various frequencies. Experiment 2 consisted of measurements of sound pressure levels in the sealed external ear canal of the probe ear when the contralateral ear was stimulated by air-conducted pure tones. The results indicated that acoustic reflex thresholds in 250-Hz tones probably cannot be determined for most persons unless special measures are taken to prevent the artifact. The artifact should not occur when the eliciting stimulus is 500 Hz, however.
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000162:Acoustics / Q000295:instrumentation; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000502:physiology; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000502:physiology*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008954:Models, Biological; D010827:Physiology / Q000295:instrumentation; D011312:Pressure; D012018:Reflex; D013016:Sound