Broadband Noise Acoustic Stapedial Reflex Thresholds as a Marker of Cochlear and Neural Integrity in Individuals with Normal Audiograms

/Objectives: Some individuals present with difficulty understanding speech in noise, tinnitus, or both, despite normal conventional audiometric hearing thresholds. This study evaluated whether acoustic stapedial reflex thresholds (ASRTs) could serve as a clinically useful indicator of auditory complaints not captured by conventional audiometry.

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Broadband noise acoustic stapedial reflex thresholds show promise as a non-invasive marker for cochlear synaptopathy or neural integrity issues in patients with normal audiograms; if findings replicate, this could be added to the diagnostic workup for 'hidden hearing loss' and tinnitus, but broader validation is needed before routine adoption.

A clinically feasible, non-invasive marker for cochlear synaptopathy in normal-audiogram patients would fill a major diagnostic gap in the assessment of hidden hearing loss and unexplained tinnitus.

1. 01Study targets individuals with normal audiograms who report speech-in-noise difficulty or tinnitus.
2. 02Broadband noise acoustic stapedial reflex thresholds used as the primary diagnostic marker.
3. 03Aims to detect cochlear synaptopathy (hidden damage to inner-ear nerve connections) non-invasively.
4. 04Could complement or reduce reliance on more complex electrophysiological tests.
5. 05Published in Audiology Research 2026.

PMID

42645116

DOI

10.3390/audiolres16040105.

Journal

Audiology Research

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

4

Population

Individuals with normal audiograms presenting with speech-in-noise difficulty or tinnitus

Intervention

Broadband noise acoustic stapedial reflex threshold measurement