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Can Robust OAEs be Recorded with Patent PE Tubes?

James W. Hall III, PhD

January 2, 2018

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Question

Can robust otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) be recorded with patent pressure equalization (PE) tubes (called grommets in the UK)? 

Answer

It is possible to record normal disortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) for test frequencies about 1000 Hz in patients with patent pressure equalization (PE) tubes (or grommets) assuming the middle ear is also normal. DP amplitude is sometimes decreased for lower test frequencies in these patients. On the other hand, abnormal or absent DPOAEs at all frequencies in a patient with PE tubes generally suggests that either the tubes are not patent or there is residual middle ear pathology. Of course, abnormal DPOAEs might also suggest cochlear (outer hair cell) dysfunction, particularly if the abnormalities are mostly for higher test frequencies.

For more information on clinical use of OAEs, view the on-demand CEU course Common Errors in Measurement and Analysis of OAEs.  


james w hall iii

James W. Hall III, PhD

James W. Hall III, PhD is an internationally recognized audiologist with 40-years of clinical, teaching, research, and administrative experience. He received his Ph.D. in audiology from Baylor College of Medicine under the direction of James Jerger.  During his career, Dr. Hall has held clinical and academic audiology positions at major medical centers. Dr. Hall now holds appointments as Professor at Salus University and the University of Hawaii, and as Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria South Africa. Dr. Hall is the author of over 160 peer-reviewed journal articles, monographs, or book chapters, and nine textbooks including the 2014 Introduction to Audiology Today and the 2015 eHandbook of Auditory Evoked Responses.

 


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