Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions in two infants.
CONCLUSIONS
We regard spontaneous otoacoustic emission (SOAE) as a unique phenomenon due to spontaneous outer hair cell hyperactivity during the infantile period in these two infants.


OBJECTIVE
We report the cases of SOAEs in two infants, which were audible to their parents. We were able to hear continuous sounds from these two infants' ears. We studied their hearing and the emitted sounds objectively.


METHODS
Patient 1 was a 5-month-old girl and patient 2 was an 11-month-old girl. Their parents heard continuous sounds emanating from their infants' ears. Audiological examinations and frequency analysis were conducted.


RESULTS
The distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) of the two patients were normal. Analysis of the continuous sounds demonstrated frequencies of 4.2 and 6.5 kHz for patient 1 and 6.7 kHz for patient 2. These audible sounds were diagnosed as SOAEs. The SOAEs in these infants did not disappear with their development in the last 2 years.
Kaga
Kimitaka
K
National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo. kimikaga-tky@umin.ac.jp
Akamatsu
Yusuke
Y
Nakamura
Masako
M
Sakata
Hideaki
H
D001299:Audiometry; D003051:Cochlea / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous