The otoacoustic emissions (OAE) test is an objective way to measure hearing loss in young patients. It is widely used in a hospital setting to screen congenital hearing problems in newborns, as well as to identify hearing loss in children up to three years of age.
What to Expect During the OAE Test
The OAE test is performed with a handheld unit and a small probe that is inserted into the child’s ear canal and delivers quiet sounds. If the hair cells located in the inner ear (the cochlea) are functioning normally, they will signal the brain and send otoacoustic emissions in response. Otoacoustic emissions are inaudible sounds that “echo” back to the outer ear, where they can be analyzed and recorded by the OAE handheld unit. In approximately 30 seconds, a test result of “pass” or “refer” will appear on the screen.
The OAE test is a terrific way to detect sensorineural hearing loss in the cochlea or hearing disorders in the inner ear pathway. It can be performed at home, the doctor’s office, or school. The child can be playing or sleeping during the test because it does not require a response.
