Assessment of Cochlear Synaptopathy with Standard Clinical Equipment.

Background:  Tinnitus, hyperacusis, and difficulties listening in background noise may be associated with the loss of auditory nerve fibers known as the condition of cochlear synaptopathy. Multiple research-based tests of auditory function have been developed to identify the potential for synaptopathy in animals and humans, including assessment of the middle-ear muscle reflex (MEMR). Despite these research-based tests, there is no verified method for measuring or identifying the potential for cochlear synaptopathy using standard audiologic equipment.