Newborn Hearing Screening & Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Testing

Gentle, non-invasive, objective hearing assessments for newborns, infants, and sensitive ears.

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) testing evaluates the health and function of the outer hair cells located within the inner ear (cochlea).

When sound travels into a healthy ear, these delicate hair cells vibrate and produce faint acoustic echoes known as otoacoustic emissions. By placing a small, soft probe into the ear canal, our diagnostic equipment measures these responses directly. The test requires zero active verbal or behavioral participation, making it an invaluable tool for early detection and specialized pediatric audiology.

Who Benefits from OAE Screening?

1. Newborns & Infants

Essential for babies who require follow-up testing after a hospital newborn hearing screen.
Completely painless, safe, and can be completed while your baby is resting or asleep.

2. Patients with Special Needs & Disabilities

Standard hearing exams require patients to press a button or raise a hand when they hear a tone.
OAE provides objective, accurate hearing data without requiring active cooperation or communication from the patient.

3. Monitoring Medication & Noise-Induced Damage (Ototoxicity)

Certain life-saving treatments (such as specific chemotherapies or high-dose antibiotics) and intense noise exposure damage the outer hair cells first.
OAE can identify hair cell stress and early deterioration long before noticeable hearing loss occurs on a standard audiogram.

4. Tinnitus Patients with "Normal" Hearing Tests

Many individuals who experience persistent ear ringing or buzzing pass standard hearing tests.
OAE testing detects sub-clinical or early outer hair cell damage that standard Comprehensive Audiological Evaluations (CAE) might not yet catch, uncovering the underlying cause of your symptoms.

What to Expect During the Appointment

Fast & Comfortable: A tiny, soft foam tip is placed in the ear canal. The device plays quiet clicking sounds or musical tones while measuring the ear’s response.
Non-Invasive: There are no needles, discomfort, or loud noises.
Immediate Results: Dr. Sullivan and our audiology team review the findings with you during the visit and outline clear next steps.

Schedule an Evaluation Today

Ensure your child’s hearing milestones are on track, or get answers to unexplained ear symptoms.