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This study investigates the controversy regarding the influence of age on the acoustic reflex threshold for broadband noise, 500-, 1000-, 2000-, and 4000-Hz activators between Jerger et al. [Mono. Contemp. Audiol. 1 (1978)] and Jerger [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 66 (1979)] on the one hand and Silman [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 66 (1979)] and others on the other. The acoustic reflex thresholds for broadband noise, 500-, 1000-, 2000-, and 4000-Hz activators were evaluated under two measurement conditions. Seventy-two normal-hearing ears were drawn from 72 subjects ranging in age from 20-69 years. The results revealed that age was correlated with the acoustic reflex threshold for BBN activator but not for any of the tonal activators; the correlation was stronger under the 1-dB than under the 5-dB measurement condition. Also, the mean acoustic reflex thresholds for broadband noise activator were essentially similar to those reported by Jerger et al. (1978) but differed from those obtained in this study under the 1-dB measurement condition.

Regulations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration require the performance of audiometric tests on workers exposed to potentially hazardous noise levels. These tests are frequently performed by Occupational Hearing Conservationists who have taken a 20-hour course based on recommendations of the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation. Unless audiograms performed by such personnel are promptly reviewed and appropriate referral to specialists made, significant and potentially life-threatening otic disease may go undetected. This paper reports a series of workers with acoustic tumors initially detected by an Occupational Hearing Conservation Program. It is dangerous to assume that the hearing loss and tinnitus reported by noise-exposed workers is necessarily the result of workplace noise exposure.

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