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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.
Audiology Research
|September 22, 2023
Summary
Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs) indicate better cochlear health. Adults with SOAEs showed stronger otoacoustic emission responses and preserved hearing compared to those without SOAEs.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Otoacoustic Emissions
- Auditory Neuroscience
Background:
- Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are sounds generated by the inner ear.
- Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs) are passively generated OAEs.
- The relationship between SOAEs and overall cochlear function requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the status of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs) in relation to cochlear function.
- To examine correlations between SOAE presence and measurements of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs), distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), and extended high-frequency (EHF) hearing thresholds.
Main Methods:
- 463 participants (222 male, 241 female; age 20-59) with normal hearing thresholds (≤25 dB HL) were included.
- Participants were categorized into three age groups: 20-29, 30-39, and 40-59 years.
- Evaluations included EHF (9-16 kHz) hearing thresholds and TEOAE, DPOAE, and SOAE measurements.
Main Results:
- Participants with SOAEs exhibited significantly larger amplitudes and signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) for TEOAE and DPOAE responses compared to those without SOAEs.
- In participants without SOAEs, age correlated with decreased TEOAE/DPOAE amplitudes/SNRs and worsening EHF hearing thresholds.
- While EHF thresholds worsened with age regardless of SOAE status, TEOAE/DPOAE measures remained stable in older participants with SOAEs.
Conclusions:
- Identifiable SOAEs are associated with enhanced TEOAE and DPOAE amplitudes and SNRs.
- SOAEs serve as a valuable indicator of cochlear health in adults.
- The presence of SOAEs may signify a more robust cochlear system, even with age-related changes in high-frequency hearing.
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