Evaluation of the effect of age on the contralateral acoustic reflex suppression test in individuals with normal hearing

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the age-related changes of the Contralateral Acoustic Reflex Suppression (CARS) test in individuals with normal hearing and to provide age-related normal values. Method: The study included 66 individuals aged 18–65 years. The participants were divided into three age groups, respectively, 18–30 years, 31–45 years, and 46–65 years. Acoustic reflex threshold and acoustic reflex amplitude measure-ments were performed at frequencies of 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz in the pres-ence and absence of suppressive noise from the contralateral ear. Results: In the comparison of suppression amounts according to age groups, the highest suppression amount at all frequencies was observed in the 18– 30 years age group. Conclusions: It is known that changes in the function of the efferent hearing system occur due to aging. In the CARS test, a decrease in the amount of sup-pression produced by the efferent system has been observed due to aging.