Otoacoustic emissions. Clinical applications

PICHON-RIVIERE A,; AUGUSTOVSKI, F; BARDACH, ARIEL; REGUEIRO, A; GARCIA MARTÍ, SEBASTIAN; GLUJOVSKY, D; LOPEZ, A

Documentos de Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias

IECS

Año: 2005 p. 1 - 30

1668-2793

This study aims to assess the usefulness of otoacoustic emissions (OAE) as diagnostic test and their main indications at present.A bibliographic search was carried out on the main data bases (MEDLINE, Cochrane, DARE, LILACS, NICE and EMBASE), in general Internet search engines, in sanitary technology evaluation agencies and health suppliers, limiting the search to systematic revisions; controlled, randomized clinical trials; assessment of sanitary technologies, clinical practice guidelines and coverture policies of other health system. Information from local sources on the use of sanitary resources and coverage in Argentina were searched for.The evidence available in adults included in the studies mentioned is scarce although from a theoretical and physiopathological point of view, there is justification for the clinical application of OAE audiometry, specially to make a differential diagnosis of hearing damage, to screen patients who are difficult to evaluate (as when simulation is suspected), and to detect and monitor conditions potentially hazardous to hearing (work environment). It is important to point out that most studies have methodological weaknesses (for example, selection bias).