Evoked otoacoustic emissions in normal-hearing infants and children: emerging data and issues

Evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOAEs) are a promising tool for evaluating cochlear status in children. Preliminary data from normal-hearing subjects ranging from birth to 29.9 years old are discussed. EOAEs are present and robust in infant ears. However, there is a statistically significant decrease in EOAE amplitude for a fixed stimulus level with increasing age even in a carefully screened sample. At the present time it is unclear if these age-associated changes are due to normal developmental changes in the external and/or middle ear acoustics, normal developmental changes in cochlear mechanics and/or everyday cochlear wear and tear. Issues related to further application of evoked emissions to pediatric populations are discussed.