Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Modified Experimental Conditions for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Mice and Assessment of Hearing Function and Outer Hair Cell Damage
Published on: February 10, 2023
Use of ABR threshold and OAEs in detection of noise induced hearing loss
Rachel Fraenkel1, Sharon Freeman, Haim Sohmer
1Department of Physiology, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
Objective:
To determine which measure is the most sensitive to noise induced hearing loss (NIHL): auditory nerve brainstem response (ABR), distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) or transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE), and how to assess possible changes in these responses.
Subjects & Methods:
Four groups of rats were exposed to various durations of 113 dB SPL broadband noise: 5 or 10 minutes (temporary changes in cochlear function), and 3 or 4 hours (permanent changes). Group means and data from individual animals were compared before and after exposure.
Results:
Mean group DPOAE amplitude reduction showed no clear advantage over mean ABR threshold elevation in detection of temporary and permanent NIHL. Data from individual rats, however, indicated a clinical advantage for DPOAEs in detecting slight temporary, but not permanent, changes. TEOAEs were more sensitive in detecting changes in individual rats than as a group measure.
Conclusions:
TEOAE and DPOAE monitoring may improve detection of NIHL, though it should be used in conjunction with audiometric threshold monitoring.
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