Introduction: The unexplained absence of acoustic reflex (AR) in audiological tests has become a frequent finding, calling the audiologists attention. The neural complexity of the stapedial reflex arch suggests that the protecting function is the most elementary one of AR. The activity of middle ear muscles promotes improvement in the state of hearing attention, perception of changes in intensity, sound location and intelligibility of speech. Objective: To correlate AR and SSW (Staggered Spondaic Word) tests on adults with normal hearing and absence of contralateral AR. Material and Method: Casuistics consists of 100 individuals of both sexes, from 19 to 59 years, equally divided into Control and Study Groups. The Study Group shows normal hearing and absence of contralateral AR in at least one frequency and was subdivided according to the type of AR absence (frequency, laterality and afference). Results: The averages of contralateral and ipsilateral AR in the Study Group were higher than those in the Control Group. The Study Group showed worse performance in SSW Test. The significant results for alterations in SSW test showed greater association in the individuals with absence of contralateral AR and presence of ipsilateral AR, and in individuals with isolated absence at 4 kHz, especially bilaterally. Conclusions: The results of this study reinforce the relevance of AR in auditory processing (AP), suggesting that patients with normal hearing and absence of contralateral AR, especially when ipsilateral AR is present or isolated absence at 4 kHz, should undergo AP evaluation.