[Age-specific changes in otoacoustic emission].

The relation of age and external and middle ear parameters with otoacoustic emission (OAE) characteristics was studied. Ear canal equivalent volume (ECV), static compliance and tympanometric gradient were measured. Transient evoked OAE (TEOAE) and distortion product of OAE (DPOAE) were recorded. Measured parameters included: average TEOAE and DPOAE levels, TEOAE spectral peak level and DPOAE maximum level, TEOAE and DPOAE dominant frequencies as well as frequency corresponding to minimum DPOAE level. The analysis of variance demonstrated a significant interrelationship between subject's age and all TEOAE and DPOAE parameters. External and middle ear parameters had no significant influence on OAE. The only exception was ECV which had certain relation to TEOAE spectral peak frequency. The results obtained demonstrated that OAE age-related changes were predominantly determined by processes taking place within its generators system, i.e. at the outer hair cells level.