Abstract
A means of calculating the average pure tone threshold by comparing the acoustic reflex thresholds for pure tone stimuli and a wide band stimulus has been described (NiemeYer and Sesterhenn, 1974). It would appear that this is an objective method of predicting hearing acuity which may be performed by any clinic possessing an impedance meter. It is important therefore to discover the limitations of such a test when performed actually during out-patient clinics using only standard clinical apparatus. We have studied 100 ears under such circumstances and find that it is possible to predict the hearing to within -15 to +25dB in over 90 per cent of the cases in which the acoustic reflex was consistently obtained. We give three different examples of the ways in which such a test can aid the clinician.