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Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions in the elderly
Niels Christian Stenklev1, Einar Laukli
1ENT-Department, University Hospital of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway. niels.christian.stenklev@unn.no
International Journal of Audiology
|April 23, 2003
Summary
Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) decrease with age, particularly in older adults. This age-related decline in TEOAEs correlates with increased hearing threshold levels.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Gerontology
- Otoacoustic Emissions
Background:
- Aging is associated with changes in auditory function.
- Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) reflect cochlear outer hair cell function.
- Understanding age-related changes in TEOAEs is crucial for audiological assessment in the elderly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the age-related changes in transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs).
- To determine the prevalence of TEOAEs in subjects over 60 years of age.
- To compare TEOAE characteristics between normal-hearing elderly individuals and young adults.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 232 subjects over 60 years old underwent audiological testing, including TEOAEs.
- TEOAE presence was defined by wave reproducibility ≥55% or response level ≥4 dB SPL.
- Comparison was made with a control group of 20 normal-hearing young adults.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of TEOAEs in left ears of elderly subjects was 55.6%.
- No TEOAEs were detected in subjects with a pure-tone average (PTA) exceeding 40 dB HL.
- Elderly subjects showed significantly decreased TEOAE overall response levels and wave reproducibility compared to young adults.
Conclusions:
- TEOAE prevalence diminishes with advancing age.
- Age-related decreases in TEOAE response level and reproducibility are observed.
- These findings suggest a link between declining TEOAEs and elevated hearing thresholds in older adults.