What does the presence of otoacoustic emissions indicate?

The presence of otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) indicates normal cochlear function primarily because these emissions are generated by the outer hair cells of the cochlea in response to sound stimulation. When the auditory system is functioning optimally, particularly the outer hair cells, they produce these faint sounds, which can be measured using a sensitive microphone placed in the ear canal.

In a healthy cochlea, the efficient functioning of the outer hair cells ensures that the cochlea's active mechanisms are intact, and thus the emission of OAEs is an indicator of normal auditory processing. If OAEs are absent or reduced, that could suggest dysfunction within the cochlea, potentially reflective of hearing loss that may stem from various causes, but not specifically conductive issues or middle ear blockages, which would not affect cochlear function directly.

Consequently, the presence of OAEs serves as a vital tool in audiology to screen for hearing ability and the health of the cochlear structure.