What does a presence of Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs) indicate about a child's hearing?

The presence of Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs) indicates normal cochlear function. OAEs are sounds emitted from the inner ear, specifically generated by the outer hair cells of the cochlea in response to auditory stimuli. When these emissions are detected, it demonstrates that the outer hair cells are functioning properly, which typically signifies that the cochlea is healthy.

In the context of hearing assessment, the presence of OAEs is a positive sign as it suggests that hearing sensitivity is likely within normal limits, especially in infants and young children. If OAEs are absent, this may indicate a potential hearing loss, possibly due to issues with the cochlea itself, but the presence confirms that the cochlea is working as expected. Therefore, the result of OAEs serves as a valuable screening tool for understanding the state of a child's hearing and can help guide further assessment if needed.