Influence of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions on distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitudes

Although the influence of the levels and ratios of the primary stimulus on the amplitude of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) has been studied intensely, the influence of the presence of spontaneous otoacousti c emissions (SOAEs) has been investigated less thoroughly. The present inve stigation analysed whether the unilateral presence of 58 SOAEs in 43 normal -hearing adults was related to larger DPOAEs in the ear with SOAEs compared to the contralateral ear having no SOAEs. The study was designed such that the only factor that could influence the amplitude of DPOAEs was the prese nce of SOAEs. Input/output (IIO) functions were collected in response to pr imary tones that were presented in 5-dB steps from 70 to 40 dB SPL at the f requency of the unilaterally recorded SOAE of each subject. The primary out come was the demonstration of statistically significant (P < 0.05) larger D POAEs in ears exhibiting SOAEs than in ears without measurable SOAEs, excep t at the highest stimulus level of 70 dB SPL. These results suggest that SO AEs play an additive role in the measurement of DPOAEs. The enhancing effec t of the unilateral presence of SOAEs on DPOAEs was statistically significa nt for 65 dB SPL and lower levels of primary tones. The authors speculate t hat passive cochlear properties begin to participate in the generation of D POAEs at primary-stimulus levels greater than 65 dB SPL. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.