Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)

Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are sounds of cochlear origin, which can be recorded by a microphone fitted into the ear canal. They are caused by the motion of the cochlea’s sensory hair cells as they respond to auditory stimulation. OAEs provide a simple, efficient and non-invasive objective indicator of healthy cochlear function.

Who Will Benefit from Testing?

OAE screening is useful in patient populations where subjective hearing assessment is not possible or reliable (e.g. newborn hearing screenings, functional hearing loss). It is also useful in early detection of hearing loss.

Who Will Perform the Testing?

OAE screening is performed by audiologists, typically as part of a comprehensive audiological evaluation.

What Should I Expect During Testing?

An OAE screening is easy to administer and pain-free. A probe tip is gently placed in the ear canal and tones are presented to generate the OAEs. A microphone in the probe tip measures the OAEs produced by the patient’s inner ear. The testing is quick, taking only a minute or two to complete.

Although OAEs are a good indicator of hearing loss, it is important to remember that an OAE screening is not a hearing test. It is best used in conjunction with behavioral testing methods for a complete assessment of a patient’s hearing ability.

If you have any questions or concerns about hearing problems, call 407.644.4883 or click here to schedule an appointment.