What is the purpose of the acoustic reflex?

The purpose of the acoustic reflex is primarily to protect the ear from sudden, loud sounds. When a loud sound occurs, a reflexive action takes place in which the muscles of the middle ear contract. This contraction moves the bones in the middle ear and helps to reduce the amount of sound energy that is transmitted to the inner ear. By doing so, the acoustic reflex acts as a natural defense mechanism against potentially harmful loud noises, thereby preventing damage to the delicate hair cells within the cochlea that are responsible for hearing.

The other options describe functions that are not associated with the acoustic reflex. Amplifying quiet sounds relates more to the function of hearing aids or the sensitivity of hearing mechanisms rather than protection. Improving speech clarity hinges on various factors including auditory processing, not specifically the reflex. Lastly, measuring auditory thresholds pertains to audiological assessments, which do not involve the protective aspects of the acoustic reflex.