Otoacoustic Emissions are faint sounds – best described as “echoes” – produced by the hair cells of the inner ear (the cochlea) in response to stimuli. OAEs are not a test of hearing, but are used as a tool to determine cochlear function. OAE recordings are electrophysiologic and are not dependent on patient response. A probe is placed into the opening of the ear canal for approximately 20 seconds while the patient listens to sounds, like notes on a scale for DPOAEs, or soft clicks for TEOAEs. By measuring the emisssions, audiologists can quickly determine the status of the cochlea, most notably the functionality of the outer hair cells.
![easyScreen little baby ear test](https://flotogroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2nd-Section-1.png)
![otoacoustic-emissions-2 otoacoustic-emissions](https://flotogroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/3rd-Section-5.png)
OAEs are Used For:
- Hearing screening in newborns, infants and developmentally disabled persons;
- Partially estimating hearing sensitivity within a limited range;
- Differentiating between the sensory and neural components of hearing loss;
- Identifying functional (feigned) hearing loss;
- Monitoring ototoxicity;
- Providing an early and reliable “warning sign” of cochlear dysfunction due to noise exposure before any problems are evident in the audiogram.