Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are absent in a newborn. What does this finding indicate?

• A Central hearing loss at the auditory cortex level
• B Retrocochlear (VIII nerve) lesion only
• C Abnormal ABR wave I latency
• D Dysfunction of outer hair cells in the cochlea ✓

Explanation

OAEs are sounds generated by outer hair cells (OHC) of the cochlea in response to acoustic stimulation — they reflect the electromotility of OHCs (prestin-based) amplifying basilar membrane motion. Absent OAEs indicate OHC dysfunction — which occurs in cochlear hearing loss (>30 dB), ototoxicity, noise damage. Normal OAEs with absent ABR are seen in auditory neuropathy (inner hair cell/VIII nerve dysfunction). OAEs test peripheral cochlear function, not central pathways.

Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.