Evaluating Noise Induced Hearing Loss with Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions

Abstract

This study assessed the clinical efficacy of screening for noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) with distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE). DPOAEs were recorded from 76 military personnel (137 ears) aged between 17 and 41 years in response to equilevel 70 dB SPL primary stimulating tones. The 2f1-f2 DPOAE levels were correlated with audiometric thresholds at frequencies close to f2. Ears with normal audiograms, but with a history of military noise exposure, had DPOAEs that were significantly decreased in amplitude as compared to the ears of normal hearing non-exposed to noise subjects. These ears also had an increased absence of DPOAEs as compared with the ears of the normal hearing non-exposed to noise subjects. Although, in general, the DPOAE amplitudes and spectral frequency ranges reflected the audiometric NIHL configurations, in a number of cases DPOAEs were present for hearing losses up to 75 dB HL. As a consequence, DPOAEs correlated moderately and negatively with the audiometric thresholds. Applying test criteria designed to logically reflect NIHL, DPOAE sensitivity and specificity levels ranged between 0.51-0.90 and 0.63-0.25, respectively. These findings indicate that DPOAEs, recorded and analysed as described, are not sufficiently sensitive to serve as a single test to identify NIHL.

Relationship between leisure noise exposure and otoacoustic emissions in a young Asian population

“…Several cross-sectional studies have been performed that have provided evidence for the effect of noise on OAEs. (Lepage & Murray 1993, Desai et al, 1999Attias et al, 1998).…”

Low-level otoacoustic emissions may predict susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss

“…Furthermore, noise-exposed people tend to have lower OAEs than people with similar audiometric thresholds but no noise exposure ͑Bicciolo et Murray and LePage 1993;Attias et al, 1995Attias et al, , 1998Xu et al, 1998;Desai et al, 1999;Attias et al, 2001͒. 1 This finding has led to the hypothesis that, in individuals, OAEs may decrease prior to changes in audiometric thresholds.…”

Effects of Alcohol and Noise on Temporary Threshold Shift in Guinea Pigs

“…Recently, a number of studies have demonstrated that distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) is more sensitive than the traditional hearing test in revealing the acute effects of noise [21,22]. Therefore, in addition to the ABR threshold measures, we also employed DPOAE measures to assess the effects of noise exposure in experimental animals.…”