The test involves placing three electrodes on the head and presenting sounds to the child via headphones. This type of hearing test gives us vital information about the child's capacity to hear the high frequency sounds and components of speech. It is capable of providing specific hearing levels up to the severe loss range. This test is also used to assess the hearing levels of children while they are asleep or sedated. Children do not have to be asleep for this test.
OAE assessments are a very fast and sensitive method of assessment.
The presence of an emission indicates a normally functioning cochlear. Test results of the middle ear, which are described below, are recorded on a tympanogram. The middle ear is tested using tympanometry, sometimes called impedance testing. When a problem occurs in the middle ear, the transfer of sound to the inner ear is interrupted, and this can result in a loss of hearing. It is therefore important to monitor the state of the middle ear especially with young children.