The Effects of the Conductive Function of Middle Ear on Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions in Children

Objective The primary goal of this paper was to compare the effects of cochlea function impairment and middle ear function disorder on distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) And in clinic,the effects caused by middle ear function disorder can be identified and eliminated.Methods In accordance with hearing condition,56 children (107 ears) were classified as a group of sensorineural hearing loss,a group of conductive hearing loss and a group of normal hearing.Incidence of DPOAE,amplitudes of DPOAE and DPOAE contrasting noise level,and DPOAE examining time under the same testing condition were observed in these groups.The age of children was examined in three groups ranging from 2 months to 11 years old.Results The difference of DPOAE results between the group of cochlea function impairment and the group of middle ear function disorder was not observed.Conclusions The results show that the effects of cochlea function impairment and middle ear function disorder caused by secretory otitis media on DPOAE testing were the same and could not be distinguished in clinic.We think that the middle ear function must be measured before DPOAE testing in children.