Reproducibility and short-term variability of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions

The reproducibility and short-term, less than 3 days, variability of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) were studied in 23 young, otologically healthy subjects engaged either in strenuous physical exercise or relatively sedentary occupations. Tympanometry was also performed. TEOAEs were highly reproducible. No differences were found between the two subject groups, nor any significant diurnal variations in TEOAE amplitudes. The latter were, however, significantly (p = 0.005) correlated to middle ear pressures. Tympanometry should therefore be performed in studies of possible intrinsic or extrinsic influences on TEOAE amplitudes.