Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions: A Normative Study

Abstract

Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were quite recently introduced as a new objective auditory screening technique, having a unique potential because of their ability to analyze the micromechanical functions of the cochlea in a frequency-specific way. In 1992, Kemp and Bray released the commercially available Oto-dynamics Analyzer IL092, which enabled investigators and audiological centres to perform DPOAE measurements in different populations, but without any relationship to normative data. The purpose of this study was to describe the normative aspects of 2fl-f2 DPOAEs obtained with the IL092 from 101 normal ears of 101 healthy young adults. The DPOAEs were obtained automatically by means of two data-collection protocols on the IL092 in the form of DP-gram and DP-growth functions. These data were statistically processed to form a normative database which has the potential of serving as a basis for further research aimed at determining the utility of DPOAE testing in evaluating ear pathology

Key Words:

• Distortion product
• Otoacoustic emission
• Hearing testing
• Cochlear physiology