Otoacoustic emissions: a new method to diagnose hearing impairment in children.

Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are epiphenomena of sensitive, amplifying processes during hearing which can be detected in persons with normal inner ear function. They originate from the cochlea and are interpreted as an energy leakage of cochlear processes, perhaps resulting from active outer hair cell movements. OAEs travel from the cochlea through the middle ear to the external auditory canal where they can be detected using sensitive miniature microphones. Transient evoked (TEOAE) tests allow to otoacoustic emissions non-invasively check the integrity of the cochlea. In the neonatal period, registration of OAEs can be accomplished during natural sleep. In infants and neonates TEOAEs can b…