Otoacoustic emissions objectively reveal auditory system functioning and defect location

Evidence

An evoked otoacoustic emission (EOAE) should be observable if the auditory system is functioning normally; missing EOAEs indicate a conductive or cochlear defect. Such an indication does not specify whether the defect is due to the cochlea not responding to the stimuli or due to attenuation in the conductive path. EOAEs present in cases of sensorineural hearing loss suggest retrocochlear problems. — Ville Pulkki, Matti Karjalainen, Communication Acoustics- An…, 2725

Categorization

• DEFINE: Explains what EOAEs indicate and limits of their diagnostic specificity.