Acoustic reflex or also known as the Stapedius reflex, attenuation reflex or the auditory reflex is measured with the help of the tympanometer like the equipment used in tympanometry. This test is considered to be the latest among all hearing test.  This is done to measure the spontaneous muscle reaction or the consequence if high-intensity sounds occurs inside our middle ear.

Our eardrum is consisting three smallest bones in our body called the ossicles such as the malleus, incus and the stapes. They serve in transmitting the sounds from the labyrinth and without these ossicles or tiny bones it would mean hearing problem such as person having a moderate to severe hearing loss. Upon hearing loud sounds or high pitch tones, a muscle connected to these tiny bones contracts involuntarily and this action is termed as the acoustic reflex. This is one of the reasons why acoustic reflex test was introduced to assess hearing difficulties of some individuals and this test usually comes after performing the tympanometry to possible individuals who have hearing loss.

Acoustic test is performed in just a few minutes so the patient must sit still and should avoid moving its head and mouth for it will affect the result of the test. Its result is measured through the tympanometer so you do not need to inform your audiologist every time your muscle reacts to it. This test is helpful in order to give your physician more information on your illness about its severity and its possible cause plus detecting other problems related to your auditory pathways.

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