TRANSIENTLY EVOKED OTOACOUSTIC EMISSIONS AND MIDDLE-EAR FUNCTION

Transiently evoked otoacustic emissions (TEOAE) recorded in 98 ears we re compared depending on the results of tympanometry. The values of mi ddle ear pressure in patients without detectable TEOAE are significant ly smaller compared to those of patients with detectable TEOAE. In cas es of detectable TEOAE, the amplitudes and frequency components were c ompared to the results of tympanometry. When maximal compliances are s hifted towards negative values of middle ear pressure, the amplitudes of TEOAE are reduced with a loss of low frequency components. Small co mpliance values result in reduced amplitudes of TEOAE with the loss of low frequency components. By means of cluster analysis in the scatter plot of middle ear compliance and pressure, a classification is obtai ned separating two groups representing significantly groups of patient s with and without detectable TEOAE. Summing up, it must be stated tha t there is an effect of middle ear function on TEOAE which must be tak en into consideration when TEOAE are used in clinical application.