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Frequency shifts with age in click-evoked otoacoustic emissions of preterm infants

Sander W J Ubbink1, Pim van Dijk, Emile de Kleine

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, P.O. Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands. s.w.j.ubbink@med.umcg.nl

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|June 21, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Preterm infants show frequency shifts in otoacoustic emissions as they mature. Both synchronized spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SSOAEs) and click-evoked otoacoustic emissions (CEOAEs) demonstrate similar developmental changes, suggesting a common underlying mechanism.

Area of Science:

  • Audiology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Otoacoustic Emissions

Background:

  • Previous research indicated a positive frequency shift in synchronized spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SSOAEs) with increasing postmenstrual age (PMA) in preterm infants.
  • Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are objective measures of cochlear function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the shift in click-evoked otoacoustic emissions (CEOAEs) spectra with postmenstrual age (PMA) in preterm infants.
  • To compare the PMA-related shifts in CEOAEs with those previously observed in SSOAEs.

Main Methods:

  • A mixed-effects model was employed to analyze CEOAE spectral components in 22 preterm infants.
  • CEOAEs and SSOAEs were measured and compared in a subgroup of 16 infants.

Main Results:

  • A frequency-dependent shift in CEOAE spectral components was observed with increasing PMA.
  • The rate of shift was approximately 10 Hz/week around 2 kHz and 30 Hz/week around 4.25 kHz, decreasing with age.
  • Shifts in CEOAEs and SSOAEs were found to be similar, supporting a common developmental mechanism.

Conclusions:

  • The study confirms frequency shifts in both CEOAEs and SSOAEs with postmenstrual age in preterm infants.
  • The similar patterns suggest a shared underlying mechanism for these otoacoustic emission changes.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the specific roles of cochlear and middle ear development in these observed frequency shifts.

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