Trends in OAE Testing
Search for articles by category
Hearing screening
The most common uses of OAEs are employed in cases where objective measures are required for test accuracy and validity, specifically when the person being tested cannot provide reliable responses independently. OAEs are the main tool used for newborn hearing screening programs as they are quick to administer and provide information on the cochlear functioning status in newborns.
OAE assessments have proven to be an efficient method to assess cochlear function due to to the following:
- It’s an objective measurement that doesn’t require a response from the person being tested.
- It is non-invasive and doesn’t cause discomfort.
- Assessments are quick and efficient, with comprehensive test results.
- OAEs provide ear specific information
Hearing screening interpretation
Hearing screening results are presented as PASS or REFER. According to standard screening protocols, a minimum of 4 responses[2] of the frequencies tested must be present in order to obtain a pass result. A pass indicates that no further testing is required at this point, when it comes to the cochlear function. A refer outcome means that the test should be repeated and if the same outcome is achieved then further tests are required to make a diagnosis.
It is important to note that OAEs assess cochlear function when it comes to newborn hearing screening. OAEs do not evaluate the status of the hearing nerve. Damage to the hearing nerve more likely occurs in infants who have been to the NICU, therefore these ‘high risk‘ babies undergo an automated auditory brainstem response test to assess any damage beyond the cochlea and the integrity of the hearing nerve[4].
Diagnostic hearing assessments
As part of a larger test battery, diagnostic OAE measurements are invaluable in assessing and diagnosing:
- Patients who are challenging to test behaviourally.
- Non-organic hearing loss (malingering).
- Noise-induced hearing loss.
- Differentiating between cochlear and retrocochlear disorders (locating the site of lesion).
- The effects of ototoxic medications.
In diagnostic OAE testing, results should not be simply classified as PASS or REFER. Protocols suitable for screening newborns may not be appropriate for older children or adults.
Ototoxicity monitoring
Hearing loss often goes unnoticed as a side effect of many lifesaving or chronic medical drugs. These subtle changes can be detected by OAEs prior to the presentation in traditional test methods and the hearing sensitivity graph known as the audiogram.
This works through a process where the person using the treatment undergoes an initial test to measure their baseline results. The person will then get tested to monitor for changes based on the dose and treatment regimen administered. These tests are then compared to the baseline to measure any potential changes. If there are changes significant enough to cause hearing damage, the treatment regimen may be adapted or solutions are sought to manage the hearing damage. DPOAEs can test at a higher frequency, thereby enabling hearing care professionals to detect changes in hearing ability earlier on [5].
Meniere's Disease
Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs) aid in diagnosing the auditory manifestations of Meniere's disease by evaluating the function of the outer hair cells in the cochlea. Here’s how OAEs contribute:
- Baseline measurements: OAEs can provide an initial measurement of cochlear function, which can then be used to track changes in cochlear function and used to compare the results to the original baseline.
- Identifying cochlear dysfunction: Meniere's disease can impair the cochlea, affecting the outer hair cells. OAEs can detect these impairments, as the presence or absence of OAEs reflects the health of these cells. A decrease or lack of OAEs may indicate cochlear dysfunction associated with Meniere's disease.
- Tracking disease progression: For diagnosed patients, regular OAE tests can monitor disease progression. Changes in OAEs can signal either deterioration or improvement, helping guide treatment decisions.
It is important to note that although OAEs alone cannot definitively diagnose Meniere's disease, they are a valuable part of a comprehensive audiological assessment.
Tinnitus
Research has identified a trend in individuals with tinnitus, showing a pattern in Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAEs) [7]. DPOAEs exhibit smaller amplitudes in people with tinnitus, a change not typically detectable with traditional hearing tests, particularly at high frequencies. The exact connection between tinnitus and these DPOAE changes is not fully understood, and further research is needed to clarify the relationship between tinnitus and Meniere's disease [8].
The Gorgagram
The Gorgagram is a tool developed to plot absolute DPOAE amplitude to gather information regarding audiometric thresholds and categorize hearing loss between normal, abnormal or borderline based on the DPOAE volume across the frequencies 750 to 8000 Hz [4].
New developments in OAEs
Rapid technological developments have extended to OAE devices as well and some of the latest developments include:
- Enhanced test methods and improved background noise management.
- Efficient storage of patient information (device and cloud-based options).
- Compact and accurate portable versions for ease of use.
- Wireless data transfer capabilities, paperless options, and immediate printing of results.
- Integration with other electronic health record systems to streamline patient information management.
Introducing hearOAE
hearX® continues to lead the way in hearing technology innovation, staying true to our mission of making affordable hearing care accessible to everyone, everywhere. hearOAE \- the latest addition to our B2B product suite \- was successfully launched at the 2024 AAA+hearTech Expo in Atlanta, which provided the perfect platform to introduce the latest advancements in hearing tech.
Now, you can conduct OAE testing with digital precision and effortless simplicity:
- Ease of use: Our intuitive app design, easy navigation, and clearly presented test results make it easy to conduct patient-focused testing.
- Cost-effectiveness: Typical OAE devices start at $3,500, but thanks to our research and innovation, we’re offering hearOAE at a pre-order rate starting from $1,600.
- Smart device compatibility: Enjoy convenience with hearOAE's intuitive smartphone- and tablet-based OAE device with Bluetooth® functionality.
- Multi-functionality: Perform OAE, pure tone, and digits-in-noise tests with the same hearX smart device.
- Compliance and security: hearX is HIPAA compliant, ensuring critical security standards are met to secure and protect customer data.
- Integrated reporting capability: hearOAE operates from the mHealth Studio app, our cloud based data management platform that allows for seamless integration of data from all their products. Manage and track data, access reports, and patient data as required.
- TEOAE and DPOAE Analysis: Evaluate and document hearing function and disorders using Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAE) and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE) analysis. From newborns to adults, hearOAE provides a comprehensive hearing assessment solution for different age groups.
hearOAE applications
- Newborn screening: hearOAE enables early detection of potential hearing issues in newborns, allowing for timely interventions and improved outcomes.
- School screening programs: hearOAE can work well to facilitate early detection of hearing loss in school environments.
- Clinical screening: Developed for accuracy and efficiency, hearOAE enables informed decision-making for enhanced patient care.
- Workplace screening: Conduct hearing assessments on-site and eliminate the time and costs associated with traditional audiometry assessments that rely on audio booths and require time out of the office.
- Research projects: Unlock new insights in your research with the data hearOAE provides. It easily integrates with your current systems to enhance research collaboration and efficiency.
- Clinical trials: Enhance the efficiency and accuracy of clinical trials with a mobile portable, clinically- validated hearing assessment solution.
Conclusion
OAEs have become essential tools in hearing testing, offering many benefits and important information on hearing health. The introduction of hearOAE marks a groundbreaking solution in hearing technology, by making OAE testing more efficient, intuitive, integrated, and secure at a highly competitive price point.
Pre-orders* for hearOAE are available now, starting from $1,600 on a special pre-order promotion. If you would like more information on this exclusive offer, email us at: sales@hearxgroup.com.
