11 - AR Pathology Flashcards
(39 cards)
What is the acoustic reflex activated by?
- loud sound
- tactile stimulation
What is the AR?
Acoustic Reflex
-a bilateral reflexive contraction of the ME muscles resulting from sound stimulation of one ear
Which muscle primarily controls the AR in humans?
The stapedius muscle
What does the reflexive contraction of the ME muscles do?
Stiffens the ME conductive mechanism
Which nerve innervates the stapedius muscle?
CN VII (Facial)
The stapedius muscle contraction exerts force on the stapes _____ to normal direction of movement, thereby stiffening the conductive mechanism
Perpendicular
The Tensor Tympani muscle may contribute to the acoustic reflex under certain situations. Name 2 things that can activate it.
- acoustic startle response at highest intensities
- vocalizations
- facial movements (chewing, yawning)
- tactile stimulation (ear, face, eye)
What nerve is the Tensor Tympani Muscle innervated by?
CN V (Trigeminal)
Where does the Tensor Tympani tendon insert and how does it pull?
Inserts at top of manubrium of malleus
-pulls malleus anteriorly medially
What are the 4 main theories as to why we have an acoustic reflex?
Interference Theory - attenuates low frequencies to reduce the “upper spread of masking” effects and improve perception of higher frequency components
Desensitization Theory - desensitization to internal body sounds during eating and vocalizations
Injury Prevention Theory - attenuates intense sounds, though this is unlikely due to delay in onset and decay with continuous sound
Multifunctional Theory - combination of all theories
The AR is not useful for “lesions” above where?
The lower (auditory) brainstem level
During AR, the Test Ear is the ear with the ______ (tone/probe)
Tone
During AR, “ipsi” refers to the the test (stimulus) ear being the ear with the ____ (earphone/probe)
Probe
What are the 4 possible AR outcomes (ie. presence and level of AR).
Present and normal threshold
Present and elevated threshold
Present and reduced threshold
Absent
Name the 2 abnormal AR threshold results possible
Absent AR
Elevated Threshold
Describe a normal AR threshold result
- threshold is usually ~85 dB HL
- upper limits for normal hearing individual are:
- 500-2 kHz = 95 dB HL
- 4 kHz = 105 dB HL
What 2 things can we infer if the AR is present?
- normal ME function
- normal - mild SNHL range
Name 2 of the 5 reasons an AR might be absent or elevated
- ME disorder
- SNHL
- VIIIth nerve pathology
- VIIth nerve pathology
CNS dysfunction (brainstem)
What does a normal AR threshold indicate?
- reflex at a normal sensation level
- normal ME and brainstem function
- abnormalities above brainstem may be present
What AR threshold results would you expect to see for a Normal Right Ear and a Left Ear with a Conductive HL?
Right Contra - absent
Right Ipsi - present
Left Contra - elevated/absent
Left Ipsi - absent
LE Conductive HL attenuates LE stimulus
LE ME pathology reduces LE ME Ya and limits AR
What problem would you expect if all four (RE ipsi and contra, LE ipsi and contra) reflexes were absent?
Conductive HL bilaterally
- bilateral conductive HL attenuates stimulus in both ears
- bilateral ME pathology reduces ME Ya and limits AR bilaterally
For Otosclerosis, what would we expect for:
- tympanogram shape
- physical change of ear bones
- baseline admittance
- AR threshold
- Tymp: As (shallow peak; usually associated with otosclerosis, but also otitis media)
- Fixation of stapes footplate
- Increased ME stiffness and reduced baseline admittance
- Absent AR (stapes muscle contraction ineffective due to footplate fixation)
What would the following results indicate for the right and left ear?
- Right Ipsi: present
- Right Contra: present
- Left Ipsi: absent or elevated
- Left Contra: absent or elevated
Right: Normal hearing
Left: Cochlear HL ( > mild)
-reduced LE cochlear activity
What kind of AR threshold results would you expect for:
- Right: normal hearing
- Left: cochlear HL (mild)
-Right Ipsi: present
-Right Contra: present
-Left Ipsi: present
-Left Contra: present
(sufficient LE cochlear activation and normal ME)