The influence of sound stimulus parameters on the acoustic reflex waveform

Summary The transient increase in admittance seen at the beginning of the acoustic reflex response in man was investigated with a view to reaching a better understanding of its possible mechanisms. The sound stimulus intensity, its duration and its off-time were varied to investigate their effects on the morphology of the admittance waveform. The results found suggest that the transient increase may not be due to a temporary partial decoupling of the ossicular chain during the initial stages of stapedial contraction, but rather that it may be caused by a slight improvement in the coupling between the middle ear components.Offprint requests to: S. Freeman