Correlation between Otoacoustic Emission and Pure Tone Audiometry in Diagnosing a Case of Presbycusis

Abstract

Background:Outer hair cells (OHC) are most sensitive to extrinsic and intrinsic contaminants and can be irreversibly impaired. OAEs are a non invasive tool for assessing OHC dysfunction. Studies have shown that OAE can find SNHL in an early stage before it is obvious in PTA. It has also seen that there is a higher sensitivity of OAE than PTA for the diagnosis of individuals with high sensitivity to noise. Objective: This study was done with an aim to find the correlation between otoacoustic emission and pure tone audiometry for evaluating a case of presbycusis. Methods: A prospective study was done in a total of 150 patients who were selected from ENT OPD and ENT Ward of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh after proper history and examination. Results: Data obtained from otoacoustic emission and audiometry were analysed and compared.It was found that otoacoustic emission can find SNHL in an early stage before it is obvious in PTA. It has also seen that there is a higher sensitivity of OAE than PTA for the diagnosis of individuals with high sensitivity to noise. Conclusion: With increase in the audiometric thresholds with age, there is statistically significant reduction or absence of OAEs.