Tinnitus Evaluation and Management

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) test is a non-invasive and objective hearing test that assesses the function of the cochlea, specifically the outer hair cells. OAEs are sounds emitted by the inner ear in response to external stimuli, such as a click or a tone. The presence of these emissions indicates normal cochlear function.

Purpose:
Newborn Hearing Screening:

• OAE testing is commonly used as part of newborn hearing screening programs to identify infants at risk for hearing loss.

Diagnostic Assessment:

• OAEs can be used diagnostically to assess cochlear function and help determine the type and degree of hearing loss.

Monitoring Hearing Changes:

• OAEs can be useful for monitoring changes in hearing over time, including the effects of medical treatments or interventions.

Procedure:
Stimulus Presentation:

• Clicks or tones are presented through a small probe placed in the ear canal.

Response Measurement:

• The OAE equipment measures the sounds generated by the inner ear in response to the auditory stimulus.

Recording and Analysis:

• The system records the emitted sounds, and the results are analyzed by the audiologist.

Types of OAEs:
Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAE):

• Emissions produced in response to brief stimuli, such as clicks.

Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE):

• Emissions generated by presenting two simultaneous tones at specific frequencies.

BERA TEST

The Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) test, also known as Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA), is a diagnostic test that evaluates the auditory pathway from the inner ear to the brainstem. This test is commonly used to assess hearing function, especially in cases where traditional behavioral audiometry may be challenging, such as with infants or individuals who are unable to provide reliable behavioral responses.

ASSR TEST

The Auditory Steady-State Response (ASSR) test is an objective audiometric assessment used to measure the hearing sensitivity of an individual, particularly in cases where traditional behavioral audiometry may be challenging, such as with infants or individuals who are unable to provide reliable behavioral responses.

Purpose:
Objective Hearing Assessment:

• The ASSR test provides an objective and frequency-specific measurement of hearing thresholds.

Identification of Hearing Loss:

• Helps identify the presence, type, and degree of hearing loss.

Frequency-Specific Information:

• Provides information about hearing sensitivity at specific frequencies.