DPOAE

Built-in flexibility for screening and diagnostics

The Integrity™ V500 System DPOAE module provides ready-to-use protocols for assessment, and the ability to create new protocols for both screening and diagnostics. The DPOAE module also provides a choice of OAE probes for general or pediatric use.

Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE) are distorted sounds generated by the cochlea’s outer hair cells in response to two tones that are close in frequency. The presence of a DPOAE response is an indication that the cochlear amplifier is functioning properly. Typically, DPOAEs cannot be detected in ears with sensory hearing loss greater than or equal to 30 dB HL or with signs of middle ear abnormalities.

DPOAEs are a frequency-specific indicator of outer hair cell function within a wide frequency range up to 8 kHz, as opposed to Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAEs), which record the response to broad spectrum stimulus with a range of about 4 kHz. Minor changes in a specific frequency range, like in ototoxic or noise-induced hearing loss, are more easily detectable with DPOAE than with TEOAE.

OAEs can be used for hearing screening in newborn children. Read more. Normal hearing infants have an evoked response to DPOAE or TEOAE testing. However, when an infant’s outer ear, middle ear, or inner ear obstructs the passage of sound, an OAE response will not be evoked.

Clinical Applications

Detects outer hair cell function
Assists in identifying the cochlear component of a hearing disorder
Detects minor changes in a specific frequency range as in noise-induced hearing loss or ototoxicity

How it Works

The VivoLink™ generates two stimulus pure tones (the primaries), presented simultaneously into the occluded ear canal.

Two important features ensure the reliability of the test results:

Cavity Check: Checks the probe calibration before testing proceeds.
Probe Fit Check: Checks the proper probe insertion in the ear before testing proceeds.

There are three available operating modes: automatic screening, manual screening, and assessment.

Probe Calibration

The VivoLink™ automatically retrieves the OAE Probe calibration data and performs a system self-test prior to beginning patient testing, adjusts stimulus levels according to the patient’s occluded ear canal volume, and conducts OAE measurements.