title: Acoustic stapedial reflex in normal adults: biological behavior and determination of threshold levels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To record acoustic reflex thresholds for admittance (Y) and its components, susceptance (B) and conductance (G) in healthy subjects and to establish normative data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Acoustic reflex threshold was determined in 100 healthy persons, divided into 5 age groups of 20 persons each (20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60-69 years old). Detection was performed for Y, B, and G at 226-, 678- and 1,000-Hz probe tones, using 500-, 1,000-, 2,000- and 4,000-Hz stimuli.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant differences in acoustic reflex thresholds were revealed between different components, stimuli and tones. The lowest threshold level was recorded for Y at 226 Hz using stimulus 1,000 Hz. Four percent missing values were observed at 226 Hz. Subjects belonging to different age groups had different reflex thresholds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inclusion of acoustic reflex detection for B and G offers more detailed information about the middle ear status compared with Y alone, and appears to be sensitive in detecting subtle diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ferekidou
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eleftheriadou
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zarikas
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kandiloros
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yiotakis
authors.forename: Eleftherios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ferekidis
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Korres
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D004056:Differential Threshold; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012022:Reflex, Acoustic / Q000502:physiology*; D013198:Stapedius / Q000502:physiology*