Reflex modulation: a new method of measuring hearing in children.

The term reflex modulation (RM) as used here refers to an auditorially induced modification in the magnitude of a cutaneous reflex. the audiometric potential of RM was examined in two children, while they enjoyed viewing silent cartoons. Eyeblink reflexes elicited by an airpuff were reduced in amplitude or "inhibited" by a variety of audible tones presented 100 msec prior to reflex elicitation. The amount of relative blink inhibition was directly related to the intensity of the tones. The weakest tone intensities which produced reliable blink-inhibition were usually about 10 dB above voluntary threshold. Implications for testing the difficult-to-test are discussed.