Otoacoustic Emissions
Pronunciation: oh-toh-ah-KOO-stik ee-MISH-unz
Also written as: OAE — Otoacoustic Emissions
Low-level sounds produced by the outer hair cells of the cochlea, measured in the ear canal to assess cochlear function without requiring a behavioral response from the patient.
Full Definition
Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are sounds generated by the active mechanical properties of the outer hair cells of the cochlea and can be detected with a sensitive microphone placed in the ear canal. They are used diagnostically to evaluate cochlear function, screen for hearing loss in newborns and difficult-to-test populations, and differentiate cochlear from retrocochlear pathology. Two main clinical types are transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). Editors should note that OAEs reflect outer hair cell integrity, not hearing threshold or word recognition ability, and authorial conflation of these constructs should be queried. OAEs are absent or reduced when outer hair cell damage is present, making them a sensitive but not wholly specific indicator of sensorineural hearing loss.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish between TEOAEs and DPOAEs when precision is required. The plural 'emissions' is standard; 'emission' (singular) is acceptable when referring to the phenomenon generally. OAE is used both as singular and plural acronym.
In Context
- "Absent otoacoustic emissions bilaterally prompted a referral for diagnostic audiology and genetic counselling." — Newborn hearing screening report
- "The author should clarify whether TEOAEs or DPOAEs were measured, as the two subtypes have different frequency-specificity characteristics." — Manuscript editorial query