A two-step scenario for hearing assessment with otoacoustic emissions at compensated middle ear pressure (in children 1–7 years old)

Abstract

Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are widely used for assessing congenital and early-acquired sensorineural hearing loss in young children. Middle ear pathology has a negative effect on the presence of OAEs. In this study we investigated whether measuring OAEs at compensated middle ear pressure (CMEP) resulted in a higher pass rate than at ambient pressure. Secondly, we analysed the influence of 12 different pass definitions on the pass rates. One hundred and eleven children (age 1-7 years, mean 4 years and 5 months) were measured twice in one session: first at ambient pressure and then at CMEP. The study showed a higher pass rate of OAEs at CMEP than at ambient pressure. A two-step scenario reduced the number of fails by 18-26%, depending on the pass/fail definition used. Measuring OAEs at CMEP results in higher pass rates. Secondly, pass/fail definitions have a large influence on pass rates and this issue deserves further attention. Further studies must be done, before this method is readily applicable to universal neonatal screening.