Website : Affordable-Hearing-Care.com Blog : Hearing-Aids-Annandale-VA

Blog : Hearing-Aids-Reston-VA

Call Us Today Annandale,VA Office : (703) 349-7333

Reston, VA Office : (7030) 349-4746

Otoacoustic Emission Testing

Otoacoustic emission

testing is a very specialized

test conducted by an

audiologist, usually in

newborn babies and

younger children, although

adults who suspect hearing

loss may have this test

done as well. This type of test looks at how the cilia of the ear

canal conduct sound into the cochlea and inner ear, and uncover

any issues with hearing that are present. When the issues are

discovered in adults, a treatment plan can be put into place such

that no time is lost in preventing further damage to one’s hearing

ability and a person can regain some hearing.

There are three different types of otoacoustic emission testing;

transient, distortion product, and spontaneous. Each type tests

for a slightly different defect in hearing. Light electrical impulses

are conducted into the ear canal and travel the length of the

inner and middle ear, or certain frequencies of sound are used,

and measurements are taken of the ability of the ear to process

these test instruments to determine any loss of hearing ability or

non-existence in the patients.

Website : Affordable-Hearing-Care.com Blog : Hearing-Aids-Annandale-VA

Blog : Hearing-Aids-Reston-VA

Call Us Today Annandale,VA Office : (703) 349-7333

Reston, VA Office : (7030) 349-4746

Some audiologists also use a forth

type of otoacoustic testing;

sustained frequency otoacoustic emissions. Here they look for

sounds emitted in the cochlea in response to a continuous, or

sustained, tone. Your audiologist will be the one performing the

tests and measuring the data gained from the testing to assess

any further need for treatment.

Adults who require this type of testing may have it done while

awake or if they’re uncomfortable about it, under general

anesthesia. It is not necessary that a patient be awake for this

type of testing, as they will not have to vocally respond to any

part of the test. It usually takes about a half hour as long as

there aren’t any barriers in the way.