Otoacoustic Emissions - OAE
Otoacoustic Emissions is a test that is used to screen for hearing problems in children.
In adults OAE can be used in detecting the site of hearing loss within the ear, as the test is specific for the cochlear sensory part of the ear.
A probe is inserted into the patient’s ear canal and a sound is transmitted. The probe then measures the response of the inner ear to the sound.
The test is completely painless and does not require that the patient is asleep.
With a normal hearing a good response is obtained, but with hearing loss a poor response or no result is obtained.
The OAE test is fully computerised and results are obtained within half an hour and are interpreted by the doctor.
Read more about ABR.