Application of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions to pediatric populations.

Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) occur after presentation of brief acoustic stimuli such as clicks and tone pips. They represent physiological activity from within the cochlea, specifically from normal functioning outer hair cells. TEOAEs are frequency specific in that their spectra are determined by the spectra of the evoking stimulus and the audiometric configuration. TEOAEs are sensitive to mild to moderate degrees of cochlear hearing loss up to about 40 to 50 dB HL. They can be measured rapidly and noninvasively in infants and children. Among the potential applications in pediatric audiology are screening for hearing impairment in neonates, separating peripheral hearing loss and central auditory dysfunction, and monitoring cochlear status in children receiving ototoxic drugs.