Acoustic reflex latency as a function of frequency and intensity of eliciting stimulus.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the functional between acoustic reflex (AR) latency and the intensity and frequency of the eliciting stimulus. AR latency was determined at various intensities for 500 Hz and 300 Hz pure tones, and for wide-band noise. The results of the study indicated that AR latency decreased as stimulus intensity increased for all stimuli; the exact nature of the relationship depended on the stimulus, however. Latency differences between the stimuli at a given sound pressure level tended to disappear at higher presentation levels. Of particular interest was the dependency of inter- and intrasubject variability on parameters of the eliciting stimulus. The data do no indicate that AR latency is mediated solely by the loudness of the eliciting stimulus.