Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2025

Cochlear Implant Surgery and Electrically-evoked Auditory Brainstem Response Recordings in C57BL/6 Mice
Published on: January 9, 2019
Cochlear Function in Individuals with and without Spontaneous Otoacoustic Emissions
Changgeng Mo1, Bradley McPherson1, Ting-Fung Ma2
1Human Communication, Development, and Information Sciences, Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Purpose:
This study investigated the status of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs) on cochlear function in a cohort of male/female participants with a wide age range. It examined whether there was a correlation between the presence of SOAEs and measurements of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs), distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), SOAEs and extended high-frequency (EHF) hearing thresholds.
Methods:
463 participants (222 male, 241 female; age range 20-59 years) with pure-tone thresholds ≤25 dB HL for octave frequencies of 500-8000 Hz were included in the study, divided into three age groups (20-29, 30-39, and 40-59 years). Evaluations included EHF (9000-16,000 Hz) hearing thresholds and TEOAE, DPOAE and SOAE measures.
Results:
Multiple regression models showed that participants with SOAEs had larger expected amplitudes and signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) for TEOAE and DPOAE responses than participants without SOAEs, holding gender and age variables constant. Spearman correlation tests identified deterioration in TEOAE and DPOAE amplitudes and SNRs, and EHF hearing thresholds with age in participants without SOAEs. Among participants with SOAEs, no significant decreases in TEOAE and DPOAE measures were shown in participants with older age. Nonetheless, as expected, EHF hearing thresholds did become worse with age, with or without SOAEs.
Conclusions:
Participants with identifiable SOAEs had greater TEOAE and DPOAE amplitudes and SNRs than participants without SOAEs. SOAEs appear to be a useful marker of cochlear health in adults.
Related Concept Videos
The Cochlea
Auditory Pathway
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking...
Anatomy of the Ear
Hearing
The Auditory Ossicles
The aptly named stapes look very much like a stirrup. The three ossicles are unique to mammals, and each plays a role in...
Hair Cells

