Otoacoustic Emissions Testing

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs) are low level sounds (-10 to 10 dB SPL) that are generated by the cochlea. They can be recorded as either spontaneously generated sounds, or elicited by acoustic stimulation. As part of an audiological test battery, OAEs can provide objective confirmation of the normal status of the cochlea and middle ear system.

•	Objective: no patient behavioral response is required
•	Non invasive: a probe is simply inserted into the patient's ear canal
•	Quick Test Time: results can be obtained in less than one minute per ear
•	More frequencies can be tested in comparison to a standard hearing test
•	Sound room not required

OAE testing allows the audiologist to confirm normal peripheral hearing status in difficult to test patients, such as newborns, and offer additional information to confirm the site of lesion of the hearing loss. Also, the effects of factors such as hazardous noise levels, ototoxic medications, and Meniere's Disease may be detected and monitored before they are measured by standard hearing testing