ABSTRACT
Purpose
To analyze distortion product evoked otoacoustic emissions in normal-hearing adults aged between 18 and 50 years old, and to associate the results with the findings of tympanometry.
Methods
27 medical records were selected of adults with the following conditions: normal hearing; without auditory complaint; with type A, Ad or Ar tympanometric curve; with presence of acoustic reflexes; with no complaint of tinnitus or frequent exposure to high sound pressure levels; with minimal auditory rest of 14 hours at the time of the test, and who had undergone distortion product evoked otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) testing. The results of otoacoustic emissions were analyzed considering the results of the tympanometric curves presented by these individuals. For the data analysis, non-parametric tests were applied, and the level of significance was 5%.
Results
The results of otoacoustic emissions of 54 ears were analyzed. There was a greater occurrence of the type A curve in individuals without auditory complaints. Regardless of side, most ears whose response was present in the DPOAE test also presented normal tympanometric curve. There was a positive correlation between DPOAE amplitude and middle ear volume for the 6000Hz frequencies (p = 0.048) and a tendency to significance at 4000Hz (p = 0.054).
Conclusion
There was a higher occurrence of otoacoustic emissions present in normal-hearing individuals and type A tympanometric curve, and the amplitude of DPOAE at 6000Hz was smaller in normal-hearing individuals and type Ar or Ad tympanometric curve.
Keywords:
Amplitude; Hearing; Auditory tests; Acoustic reflex; Acoustic impedance tests; Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions