Aural Pain Resulting from Acoustic Reflex

1988 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-132
Author(s):  
Stephen W. Painton ◽  
Michael B. Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Impedance ◽  
Unusual Case ◽  
Acoustic Reflex ◽  
Impedance Audiometry ◽  
Physical Discomfort ◽  
Subjective Tinnitus ◽  
Dull Pain ◽  
Stapedius Muscle ◽  
Contraction And Relaxation

We present an unusual case of physical discomfort, as opposed to objective or subjective tinnitus, caused by a unilateral acoustic reflex. The cause of the discomfort was identified audiologically by the use of acoustic impedance audiometry. The dull pain that was elicited upon contraction and relaxation of the stapedius muscle was eliminated with sectioning of the stapedial tendon. No explanation of the mechanism for the pain is suggested at present.

Acoustic-Reflex Dynamics for Pulsed Signals

1978 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-308
Author(s):  
Terry L. Wiley ◽  
Raymond S. Karlovich
Keyword(s):  
Duty Cycle ◽  
Acoustic Impedance ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Broadband Noise ◽  
Threshold Shift ◽  
Temporary Threshold Shift ◽  
Acoustic Reflex ◽  
Stapedius Muscle ◽  
Duty Cycles

Contralateral acoustic-reflex measurements were taken for 10 normal-hearing subjects using a pulsed broadband noise as the reflex-activating signal. Acoustic impedance was measured at selected times during the on (response maximum) and off (response minimum) portions of the pulsed activator over a 2-min interval as a function of activator period and duty cycle. Major findings were that response maxima increased as a function of time for longer duty cycles and that response minima increased as a function of time for all duty cycles. It is hypothesized that these findings are attributable to the recovery characteristics of the stapedius muscle. An explanation of portions of the results from previous temporary threshold shift experiments on the basis of acoustic-reflex dynamics is proposed.

scholarly journals Acoustic reflex measurements and the loudness function in sensorineural hearing loss

1980 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila Uliel
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing Loss ◽  
Acoustic Impedance ◽  
Pure Tone ◽  
Sensorineural Hearing ◽  
Acoustic Reflex ◽  
Reflex Responses ◽  
Loudness Function ◽  
The Individual

The suprathreshold acoustic reflex responses of forty two ears affected by sensorineural hearing loss of cochlear origin and fifty-eight ears demonstrating normal hearing, were recorded by means of an electro-acoustic impedance meter and attached X-Y recorder. The recordings were done in ascending and descending fashion,  at successively increasing and decreasing 5dB intensity levels from 90-120-90 dB HL respectively, for the individual pure-tone frequencies of 500, 1 000, 2 000 and 4 000 Hz. The contralateral mode of measurement was employed. Analysis of  these recordings indicated that the acoustic reflex  responses could be differentiated into five  characteristic patterns of  growth, which could be depicted upon a continuum of peaked, peaked-rounded, rounded, rounded-flat,  and flat  shapes. The peaked and peaked-rounded patterns were found  to predominate at all four pure-tone frequencies  in the normal ears, while the rounded-fiat  and flat  patterns were found  to predominate only at the higher pure-tone frequencies of 2 000 and 4 000 Hz in the ears affected  by sensorineural hearing loss. This latter relationship was also able to be applied to two disorders of  the loudness functio— loudness recruitment and hyperacusis. It was concluded that the flattened  acoustic reflex  patterns at the higher pure-tone frequencies  constituted a potential diagnostic cue related to the differential  diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss, and to disorders of  the loudness function.

Acoustic-Reflex Dynamics and the Loudness-Discomfort Level

1985 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna G. Greenfield ◽  
Terry L. Wiley ◽  
Michael G. Block
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Impedance ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Broadband Noise ◽  
Impedance Change ◽  
Acoustic Reflex ◽  
Good Reliability ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Growth Functions ◽  
Within Subjects ◽  
Relative Change

Acoustic-reflex growth functions and Loudness-Discomfort Level (LDL) measures were obtained for 15 normal-hearing subjects. The hypothesis that signals considered uncomfortably loud occur at intensity levels that produce proportionately equal acoustic-reflex magnitudes was evaluated. Individual reflex growth functions were measured as a function of activator SPL for a 1000-Hz tone, a 4000-Hz tone, and a broadband noise. These growth functions were measured within subjects (two trials) and across subjects in terms of (a) percentage acoustic-impedance change at LDL, (b) percentage acoustic-reactance change at LDL, (c) acoustic impedance at LDL, (d) relative change in acoustic impedance at LDL, and (e) ratio of static acoustic impedance to change in acoustic impedance at LDL. Although the loudness and acoustic-reflex measures demonstrated good reliability across trials, the data showed large variability across subjects and did not support the experimental hypothesis. It was concluded, therefore, that the use of acoustic-reflex measures in the estimation of an individual's LDL is unwarranted.

Unusual but Treatable Cause of Fluctuating Tinnitus

1980 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. David Williams
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Unusual Case ◽  
Stapedius Muscle

An unusual case of fluctuating tinnitus that was caused by the occurrence of posttraumatic facial nerve synkinesis to the stapedius muscle is presented with preoperative, operative, and postoperative supportive data.

Acoustic-Reflex Growth and Loudness

1979 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G. Block ◽  
Terry L. Wiley
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Impedance ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Broadband Noise ◽  
Reflex Response ◽  
Impedance Change ◽  
Acoustic Reflex ◽  
Growth Functions ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Standard Deviations ◽  
The Individual

Acoustic-reflex growth functions and loudness-balance judgments were obtained for three normal-hearing subjects with normal middle-ear function. The hypothesis that acoustic reflex-activating signals producing proportionately equal acoustic-impedance changes are judged equal in loudness was evaluated. The mean acoustic impedance and associated standard deviations were computed for the baseline (static) and activator (reflex) portions of each reflex event. An acoustic-impedance change exceeding two standard deviations of baseline was defined as the criterion acoustic-reflex response. Acoustic impedance was measured as a function of activator SPL for broadband noise and a 1000-Hz tone from criterion magnitude to the maximum acoustic impedance (or 120-dB SPL). This was defined as the dynamic range of reflex growth. Loudness-balance measurements were made for the 1000-Hz tone and broadband noise at SPL’s representing 30, 50, and 70% of the individual dynamic range. The data supported the hypothesis.

A Report of Further Impedance Studies of the Acoustic Reflex

1967 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 616-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan S. Feldman
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Surgical Intervention ◽  
Acoustic Stimulation ◽  
Bell’S Palsy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Acoustic Reflex ◽  
Stapedius Muscle ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Stimulation Of

The result of acoustic stimulation of the middle ear muscles was studied using subjects in whom one or the other muscle contraction was known to be ineffective. Otosclerosis presented a condition of an intact pair of muscles but a stapes unresponsive to the contraction of the stapedius muscle. Bell’s Palsy represented a condition of a paralyzed stapedius muscle but an otherwise normal middle ear system. Through surgical intervention the ears of otosclerotic patients were altered by sectioning of the stapedius muscle and insertion of a prosthesis, while in other patients an exploratory tympanotomy verified that the middle ear was without pathology and then one or the other of the middle ear muscles was sectioned. All except one of these instances would eliminate the response of the stapedius muscle only, while the other would only eliminate the tensor tympani response. In each instance of restriction of response of the stapedius muscle the acoustic reflex could not be elicited. On the other hand, when the remainder of the system was intact and only the tensor tympani sectioned, the acoustic reflex appeared normal. These observations would strongly support the contention that the tensor tympani is not responsive to acoustic stimulation.

Acoustic Reflex Growth in the Aging Adult

1980 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 405-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Thompson ◽  
John A. Sills ◽  
Kay S. Recke ◽  
Duc M. Bui
Keyword(s):  
Growth Data ◽  
Acoustic Reflex ◽  
Reflex Pathway ◽  
Rate Of Growth ◽  
Stapedius Muscle ◽  
Acoustic Admittance ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Aging Adult ◽  
Filtered Noise ◽  
Age Range

Growth in amplitude of the acoustic reflex to filtered noise and tones of 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz was measured with an aural acoustic-admittance meter in 30 persons between the ages of 20 and 79 years. Although thresholds of the acoustic reflex did not vary significantly across the age range of the subject sample, the rate of growth in amplitude decreased linearly with increase in age decade. Given information on the aging of structures in the acoustic reflex pathway, the growth data are interpreted tentatively to mean that the contractual capacity of the stapedius muscle is diminished in older ears.

The stapedius muscle of the squirrel monkey

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 528-529
Author(s):  
C.D. Fermin ◽  
M. Igarashi ◽  
G. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Squirrel Monkey ◽  
Squirrel Monkeys ◽  
Saimiri Sciureus ◽  
Operating Microscope ◽  
Acoustic Reflex ◽  
Stapedius Muscle ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Auditory Disorders

Contraction of the stapedius muscle (the acoustic reflex) is useful in the clinical diagnosis of various auditory disorders. In an effort to better understand the basic innervation of the acoustic reflex we are presently studying its neuroanatomy in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus). Since the morphology of the squirrel monkey stapedius muscle (SMSM) has not been previously described, we will present here our own findings from eleven muscles observed under light (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Squirrel monkeys were perfused intracardially with either 10% neutral buffered formalin or 3% buffered glutaraldehyde. The stapedius muscles were dissected out under the operating microscope. For LM, the muscles were embedded in JB-4 plastic and cut serially at 5 micra and for TEM, the muscles were processed as previously described (2).The topography of the SMSM in the middle ear is similar to the human (3). The muscle attaches to the posterior side of the stapes' head by a thin collagenous tendon that extends almost midway into the muscle in a postero- ventral direction.

Effects of External Ear Canal Pressure on the Middle-Ear Muscle Reflex Threshold

1974 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 526-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick N. Martin ◽  
Sherry Coombes
Keyword(s):  
Tympanic Membrane ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
External Auditory Canal ◽  
Acoustic Impedance ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Air Pressure ◽  
External Ear ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Acoustic Reflex ◽  
Reflex Threshold

Twenty normal-hearing individuals served as subjects in an experiment designed to determine the relationships between positive and negative air pressure in the external auditory canal and the intensity required to elicit the acoustic reflex. Pressure was varied from +240 to −240 mm H 2 O. Changes in the magnitude of acoustic impedance were measured on an acoustic impedance meter and displayed graphically on a Y-T recorder. As air pressure was varied in the canal and the tympanic membrane was displaced from its position of greatest compliance, systematic increases in the intensity required to elicit the reflexes were noted. The magnitude of the differences was smaller than might have been anticipated, not exceeding a mean of 5.1 dB at −240 mm H 2 O.

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