EFFECTS OF AGE, GENDER AND EAR SIDE ON SOAE PARAMETERS IN INFANCY ANDCHILDHOOD

We investigated 267 infants and children aged 9 days to 16.8 years to study the spontaneous otoacoustic emission (SOAE) data prevalence, num ber per ear, level and frequency as a function of growth. Dependence o n age, gender and ear side was statistically analyzed using the method of generalized estimation equations. Except in the Ist year of life, SOAE prevalence per ear and SOAE number per ear decreased significantl y with increasing age. Both SOAE parameters were significantly higher in female than in male subjects, with gender difference of SOAE preval ence per ear being more distinct in the Ist year of life. Although a c lear ear side effect on SOAE prevalence per ear could already be seen in ears of female children in this age group, only SOAE number per ear was significantly higher in right ears than in left ears from the ist year of life on. Except in the first 12 months, SOAE level and SOAE f requency decreased significantly with increasing age. Neither a signif icant gender difference nor a significant ear side difference could be determined. Our results found in infancy and childhood are discussed within the framework of the current literature.