Acoustic reflex abnormalities in behaviorally disturbed and language delayed children.

Contralateral and ipsilateral acoustic reflex thresholds were measured in 62 subjects referred for suspected delays in development of language, learning disabilities, or disorders of auditory processing, with normal peripheral hearing thresholds and normal tympanometry. Thirty-two percent of the subjects in this study showed abnormal contralateral and ipsilateral acoustic reflex thresholds. Both contralateral and ipsilateral acoustic reflex thresholds were involved when subjects showed abnormal reflex thresholds. Although a high percentage of abnormal acoustic reflexes occurred in this population, no strong correlation could be found with specific areas of language delay. A slight positive correlation was found between abnormal acoustic reflexes and delayed psychomotor development. Increased or absent acoustic reflex thresholds are usually associated with peripheral or low brain stem pathologies. While not conclusive, these results suggest brain stem involvement in this population.