Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  1999 Nov;42(11):1359-1363.

Properties of SOAEs and Their Correlation with TEOAEs in Neonates

• Park HM
• Chung PS
• Lee HJ
• Hwang EJ
• Oh JK
• Rhee CK

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) have been used as a screening test for early detection of hearing loss in newborns and infants, because most of the normal hearing show TEOAEs. But the lack of understanding about the properties of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs) has limited their usefulness on the clinical basis. This study was designed with the purpose to find out the properties of SOAEs and their correlation with TEOAEs.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
TEOAE and SOAE tests were performed in 95 neonates (190 ears, male:female=47:48) of well baby clinic in DKUH.
RESULTS
1) The prevalence of SOAEs were 86.8% (165/190 ears):87.2% (82/94 ears) in male and 86.5% (83/96 ears) in female, 91% (86/95 ears) in the right ears and 83% (75/95 ears) in the left ears. 2) The number of peaks in SOAEs was 4.14+/-1.92 overally, 4.38+/-2.01 in right ears, 3.87+/-1.79 in left ears, and 4.34+/-1.95 in males and 3.94+/-1.88 in females. There was a significant difference between the right and the left ears. 3) The level of SOAEs was -18.4 to 22.6 dB SPL. The highest amplitude of SOAEs in each subject was 3.69+/-8.87 dB SPL. 4) The SOAE frequency was mainly between 1000 Hz and 4000 Hz, and most frequently between 3000 Hz and 4000 Hz. The mean frequency of the highest amplitude of SOAE was 2907+/-1092 Hz. 5) The highest amplitude of SOAE was correlated with the overall response amplitude of TEOAE (r=0.619, p<0.01), but not the number of peaks (r=0.086, p=0.272).
CONCLUSION
Neonates have robust SOAEs, which correlated with their TEOAEs.

Keyword

Spontaneous otoacoustic emission; Transient evoked otoacoustic emission; Neonate

MeSH Terms

Ear
Female
Hearing
Hearing Loss
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn*
Male
Mass Screening
Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous
Prevalence