Pediatric otoacoustic emissions testing offers a quick, gentle way to check how your child’s inner ear is working. OAE testing measures sounds produced by the cochlea’s outer hair cells in response to soft clicks or tones, helping your care team evaluate hearing even when a child is too young to participate in a traditional hearing test.
When OAE Testing Is Used
OAE testing is often one of the first tools used to screen newborns and young children for hearing differences. It helps detect:
- Cochlear function
- Blockages in the ear canal
- The presence of middle ear fluid
The test is also helpful for monitoring conditions such as ototoxicity and tinnitus.
What To Expect During OAE Testing
OAE testing is painless and takes only a few minutes. A small probe containing a speaker and microphone is placed gently in your child’s ear canal. The probe plays soft sounds while a built‑in microphone measures the cochlear response. Your child will not need to respond or perform any task, making the test ideal for infants and young children.
Testing works best when your child is still and the room is quiet, but no special preparation is required. Results are available immediately.
Our pediatric audiologists will guide you through what the findings mean and help you decide on any follow‑up care your child may need. Early identification supports healthy communication and learning, and we are here to partner with your family each step of the way.
Call Ascentist Audiology & Vestibular Center for more information or to schedule an appointment.