Abstract
In the present report the applicability of evoked otoacoustic emissions (EAOEs) in the clinical field for studying adult sensorineural hearing loss is discussed. Three topics are considered: (1) EOAEs replacing a testing procedure, (2) EOAEs integrating into the test battery thus validating the diagnostic outcome, (3) EOAEs implementing new diagnostic possibilities. The authors conclude that: (a) EOAEs could only be applied to replace pure-tone audiometry for assessing functional deafness, (b) EOAEs are a useful diagnostic tool complementing the audiological test battery, (c) EOAEs are a unique method that studies the efferent auditory pathways. It is suggested that EOAEs should be applied as a routine audiological test for adult sensorineural hearing loss not only in cases with a well-defined diagnostic profile, but also in those cases with a less clear diagnostic pattern, in order to collect more data and possibly gain better knowledge about the pathophysiology of the inner ear.