Fascinating. I did not even realize until now that is the smallest muscle in the body! Only fitting I guess in that it stabilizes the smallest bone in the human body! At only 1 mm long I have to wonder, how were you able to determine when or if it is activated?
Real time sound levels
This is a follow up to a previous post concerning hearing damage from excessive sound levels. I have discovered that by adjusting the spl of the music you’re listening to in real time you can keep it under 80 dB or even 75dB. Use your remote volume control. Your ears adjust to the lower level. If you limit the high decibels there is no reflex contraction of the stapedius muscle to dampen the stapedius bone to try to limit damage to the cochlea from excessive sound levels. I use NIOSH to measure spl. I enjoy the music as much and will for a longer time. I found that I was routinely listening to music at levels higher than 80 dB. Some damage has already been done but I’m trying to limit further damage.