Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)

Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are inaudible sounds emitted by the cochlea when it is stimulated by sound.   When sounds stimulate the cochlea, the outer hair cells vibrate.  This vibration produces an inaudible sound that echoes back into the middle ear.  The sound is then measured with a small probe placed into the ear canal.  Individuals with normal hearing produce emissions while those with hearing loss greater than 25-30 dB do not.