OAE Expert
OAE Expert
Improves the ability to identify, assess and monitor ears with noise-induced mechanical damage and/or hearing loss.
World-first multivariate statistical model applied to the use of Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs)
Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs) are the golden standard for measuring the integrity (functionality) of Outer Hair Cells (OHCs) in the cochlea. As such, they are very useful to detect noise-induced damage to the inner ear, prior to the development of a significant hearing loss
Outer Hair Cells (OHCs) are the vulnerable hair-like structures of the inner ear that are involved with almost everything that can go wrong in the cochlea such as overexposure to sound, ototoxic medication and presbycusis. They are like the ‘canaries in a coal mine’ for hearing.
OHC Damage Index; a weighted average of the damage to ‘Outer Hair Cell’ function.
Cochlear Reserve; a measure of the functionality of the Outer and Inner Hair Cells of the cochlea. A high cochlear reserve means a normal cochlear function.
One of the shortcomings in diagnostic audiology and hearing conservation programs is that we keep using the same limited test battery, dominated by behavioral tests. The ‘OAE expert’ tool is game changing for ENT specialists, audiologists and hearing care professionals when it comes to implement OAEs as an objective hearing shift assessment tool outside of the screening setting.
In a medical setting
The OAE Expert instrument expands the overall diagnostic power (tinnitus, monitoring ototoxicity, malingering…) and is of great value for differential diagnosis of hearing loss (conductive, cochlear or retrocochlear). Furthermore, it facilitates instructional counseling by presenting measurement results in a comprehensive and attractive way.
The OAE Expert instrument expands the overall diagnostic power (tinnitus, monitoring ototoxicity, malingering…) and is of great value for differential diagnosis of hearing loss (conductive, cochlear or retrocochlear). Furthermore, it facilitates instructional counseling by presenting measurement results in a comprehensive and attractive way.
For health surveillance
The widespread approach to dealing with industrial noise is to provide hearing protection and conduct Pure Tone Audiometry (audiograms) at regular intervals. This approach has been commonplace for many decades but has little real impact on the number of notifications or compensation claims for noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). This suggests that the current approach is not very effective and that compliance with current regulations is not enough to prevent the effects of noise. It calls for interventions beyond simple regulatory compliance. A baseline audiogram together with a baseline OAE Expert should be made prior to the surveillance period. We then monitor with OAEs only, using the OHC Damage Index and/or Cochlear Reserve as biomarkers for hearing damage and to assess the effectiveness of the preventive measures taken. This approach will move hearing health surveillance programs to a more informed, proactive and efficient approach.
The widespread approach to dealing with industrial noise is to provide hearing protection and conduct Pure Tone Audiometry (audiograms) at regular intervals. This approach has been commonplace for many decades but has little real impact on the number of notifications or compensation claims for noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). This suggests that the current approach is not very effective and that compliance with current regulations is not enough to prevent the effects of noise. It calls for interventions beyond simple regulatory compliance. A baseline audiogram together with a baseline OAE Expert should be made prior to the surveillance period. We then monitor with OAEs only, using the OHC Damage Index and/or Cochlear Reserve as biomarkers for hearing damage and to assess the effectiveness of the preventive measures taken. This approach will move hearing health surveillance programs to a more informed, proactive and efficient approach.