Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)

Otoacoustic emissions are sounds generated in healthy ears when the cochlea is stimulated by a sound. When the cochlea is stimulated, the outer hair cells vibrate and produce soft sounds that echo back. This echo can then be measured by a small probe that is placed at the opening of the ear canal. The test takes approximately 30-60 seconds.

An absent or reduced OAE may indicate the inner ear is damaged in some way.