Repeatability of Transient-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions in Young Adults

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the repeatability and variability of TEOAE characteristics in hearing screening tests performed under practical conditions on normal subjects. MATERIAL/METHODS A group of 11 young, normal-hearing subjects aged 19-24 years was tested. They were examined otologically and audiologically prior to the tests and no ear pathologies were found. Responses were acquired with a commercially available instrument (Integrity, Vivosonic Inc.) using a standardized OAE protocol. The TEOAE tests were repeated 3 times in each subject at random intervals within 24 h. The analyzed parameters of interest were: (i) whole wave reproducibility (WWR) and; (ii) signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). RESULTS WWR and SNR did not differ significantly among the 3 measurement sessions. In most cases the differences in WWR among measurements were around 1-2% and for SNRs they were 1-4 dB SNRs and were highest in the 1-2 kHz range. TEOAE-based tests can be useful tools for hearing screening. CONCLUSIONS The tests can give reliable results provided that adequate procedures are used and low-noise conditions are ensured. The tests are best complemented with other examinations to widen the range of ear pathologies able to be detected.