Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE)

Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAEs) are sounds that your inner ear naturally produces in response to specific sounds played into it. They are generated by healthy, functioning outer hair cells in the cochlea, part of the inner ear involved in hearing. During a test, two tones are played into the ear, and if the ear’s outer hair cells are healthy, they produce additional sounds called emissions. Measuring these emissions helps assess hearing health objectively, especially detecting early signs of hearing loss. DPOAEs are quick, non-invasive, and useful for screening and diagnosing auditory issues.