⁠OAE Testing

Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) testing is a non-invasive diagnostic tool used to assess the health of the inner ear, specifically the cochlea.

During OAE testing, a small probe is placed in the ear canal, emitting sounds while simultaneously measuring the resulting "echo" produced by the outer hair cells in the cochlea. These echoes, known as emissions, provide valuable information about the functionality of the cochlea, helping audiologists identify hearing loss and distinguish between sensory and neural components.

OAE testing is particularly beneficial for newborn hearing screening programs due to its quick and reliable nature, offering insights into cochlear health even before infants can respond to traditional behavioral hearing tests.

Additionally, it serves as a useful tool for ongoing monitoring of cochlear function in both clinical and research settings, contributing to comprehensive hearing health assessments and treatment plans.