Things We Can Measure in the Ear

The bottom line

Auditory transduction produces acoustic and electrical signals that can be measured in the ear canal. These measures are used in research and in clinical practice to assess the status of the inner ear.

Otoacoustic emissions

From Gelfand (1998)

Uses of Otoacoustic Emissions

In research, a tool for studying how the inner ear works. In the clinic, a useful assessment of inner ear function, because most sensorineural hearing loss involves loss of outer hair cells.

Types of Otoacoustic Emissions

Spontaneous Evoked

Spontaneous OAEs
Occur in 60-70% of people Do not indicate damage or disease Tend to remain stable in frequency and level Generally are not heard
From http://www.u.arizona.edu/~glattke/LEC15.html

Types of Evoked OAEs

Transient Stimulus Frequency Distortion Product

Transient EOAEs

From http://www.u.arizona.edu/~glattke/LEC15.html

Stimulus Frequency EOAEs

From http://www.u.arizona.edu/~glattke/LEC15.html

Distortion Product EOAEs

From http://www.u.arizona.edu/~glattke/LEC15.html

Electrical by-products of Transduction

Cochlear Microphonic Summating Potential Compound Action Potential (N1)

Cochlear Microphonic

Summating Potential

CM, SP and frequency

From Pickles (1988)

Compound Action Potential

Conclusions
By-products of auditory transduction, OAEs, CM, SP, and CAP, can be measured outside the cochlea in humans and nonhumans. These measures provide a means for studying and assessing the function of the inner ear.